“The United States is disturbed by the reported abduction in Tbilisi, Georgia, and subsequent arrest in Azerbaijan of Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Mukhtarli on May 30,” State Department’s Spokesperson Heather Nauert said in a press statement on June 3.

“We urge the government of Azerbaijan to release all those incarcerated for exercising their fundamental freedoms in accordance with its international and OSCE commitments,” she noted.

The State Department’s Spokesperson stressed that they “are closely following the Georgian investigation into the reported abduction, and urge that it be full, transparent, and timely.”