U.S. ambassador to Georgia, Richard Norland, said he shares the concerns of rights groups about the suspension of Tbilisi mayor Gigi Ugulava from the office.

“We share the concerns of civil society about the suspension of an elected official and are following these developments closely,” Ambassador Norland said on December 23.

“We renew our call on the authorities to scrupulously and transparently observe due process and the rule of law,” he said.