Today, US Helsinki Commission Chairman Joe Wilson, issued the following statement regarding the government raids on the homes of the two Tbilisi, Georgia-based researchers with the US-based Atlantic Council:

"It is with much dismay and concern that I have learned about the government raids on the homes of Eto Buziashvili and Sopo Gelava. They are researchers with the Atlantic Council that have been working tirelessly to expose Russian disinformation and strengthen Georgia’s sovereignty. I understand the government confiscated the researchers’ electronic equipment, including the computer of Ms. Gelava’s child. I unequivocally condemn the raids. That this happened two days before the critical national election is especially troubling. I am confident the raids will not yield any results except to prove Ms. Buziashvili and Ms. Gelava are patriots of their country. There should be accountability for those in the Investigation Department of the Finance Ministry who clearly have abused their powers" - reads the statement.