“The international community’s response to Saakashvili’s detention offers a critical opportunity to learn from past oversights, to take decisive action before it is too late, and strengthen the collective resolve against taking political prisoners. The battle for Saakashvili’s freedom is fundamentally a struggle for the soul of democracy. In defending him, we reaffirm our commitment to the principles that define democratic governance. This is a moment for the democratic world to assert its influence, not just in defense of one man’s rights but in a fight against the tide of authoritarianism threatening to erode our shared values, and destroy European countries such as Ukraine.” – Monika Bickauskaite-Aleliune writes in Stars and Stripes.

https://www.stripes.com/opinion/2024-03-13/political-hostage-putin-foreign-policy-13307767.html