EU releases statement on Ugulava's arrest

The European Union is closely following the arrest of a United National Movement (UNM) opposition party leader and former Mayor of Tbilisi, Gigi Ugulava.

The EU released a statement on the arrest of Tbilisi's suspended Mayor.

The EU also called on Georgian authorities "to ensure the judicial process is fully independent, transparent, and free of political influence”.

"We note that Mr Ugulava, previously suspended as Mayor of Tbilisi, is the opposition's chief campaign organiser during the ongoing municipal elections in Georgia. We recall Prime Minister [Irakli] Garibashvili's announcement on 14 April of a moratorium on the arrest and prosecution of opposition figures during this election period,” the statement read.

"We call once more upon the Georgian authorities to ensure that the judicial process is fully independent, transparent, and free of political influence, in line with the commitments undertaken by Georgia when it signed the Association Agreement with the European Union last week on 27 June 2014," it said.

The Chief Prosecutor's Office of Georgia filed a motion with Tbilisi City Court requesting Ugulava be held in pre-trial detention.

Ex-Tbilisi Mayor charged with money laundering and organising violence

A Court hearing is expected to be held on Friday evening.

Ugulava claimed he was innocent and his supporters said his arrest was politically motivated.