Pardoning is Zurabishvili's prerogative, I am sure she will take everything into account - Degnan on Nika Gvaramia

The US Ambassador to Georgia, Kelly Degnan, stated that it is up to the President whether to pardon the CEO of Mtavari Channel, Nika Gvaramia. She said the Helsinki Commission as well as the Embassy had made it clear that Gvaramia's case was a matter of concern.

"The Helsinki Commission is a highly respected organisation mandated by the US Congress to monitor the protection of human rights around the world, including the protection of media freedom. This organization has made clear, as has the Embassy, that the Gvaramia case is a concern, including the initial charges, the timeliness of those charges and the subsequent imprisonment, so this letter from the organization, which has been a friend of Georgia for years and an advocate of democratic reforms. In the end, of course the decision to pardon is solely the prerogative of Mrs Zurabishvili and I am sure she will take everything into account," - said Kelly Degnan.