The U.S. Department of State said in a statement it is “concerned by the decision of Georgian authorities to call former President Saakashvili for questioning in multiple criminal investigations.”

“No one is above the law, but launching multiple simultaneous investigations involving a former President raises legitimate concerns about political retribution, particularly when legal and judicial institutions are still fragile,” the Department of State said in the statement on March 23.

“As discussed at the highest levels when Prime Minister Garibashvili visited Washington in February, the United States urges Georgia’s leaders to focus the nation's energies on the future, a strong economy, continued reform of the justice sector, and rapid progress on Euro-Atlantic integration,” it said.