NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen has expressed concern over the arrests of opponents of Georgia's new Government following elections last month.

A Georgian court decided to keep a former minister in custody but bailed two army commanders charged with abuse of power. The case has raised concern the new Government, led by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, is waging a political vendetta.

"I'm extremely concerned about the development we have seen since [the polls], not least related to arrests of political opponents in Georgia," Mr Rasmussen said.

"It's for the legal system to sort out these cases."

Mr Ivanishvili has vowed to take action against former officials suspected of wrongdoing after his coalition ousted President Mikheil Saakashvili's party.