Georgia has a new judge at the European Court of Human Rights

Lado Chanturia has been officially sworn in as the new judge representing Georgia at the European Court of Human Rights.

Chanturia is a Georgian diplomat who has been Georgia’s ambassador to Germany since 2014, and who was Chairman of the Supreme Court in 1999-2004 and Justice Minister in 1998-1999.

He was elected to the position in October, replacing Georgia’s previous judge Nona Tsotsoria, and on Monday he was sworn in at a ceremony in Strasbourg.

Photo source: Justice Ministry of Georgia. 

Yesterday was his last working day as Georgia’s Ambassador to Germany and he took to Twitter to express his emotions.

Today is my final working day as #Georgian Ambassador to Germany. It was great honor and responsibility to serve and represent my country in Germany-our strategic partner. Friendship and Cooperation with #Germany is of utmost importance 4 #Georgian European way.

— Lado Chanturia (@Lado_Chanturia) January 7, 2018

"Today is my final working day as Georgian Ambassador to Germany. It was a great honor and responsibility to serve and represent my country in Germany - our strategic partner. Our friendship and cooperation with Germany is of utmost importance for the Georgian European way”, he wrote.

Chanturia was one of three nominees shortlisted for the position at the Strasbourg court by the Georgian side. When it came to the final stage, he was elected by a majority when the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) cast their votes.

He was elected for a term of office of nine years.