Georgian parliament appoints six judges to Supreme Court despite calls for postponement

The Georgian parliament has appointed six judges to the country’s Supreme Court, despite calls from the opposition, NGOs and the international community to suspend the process in compliance with the EU-mediated agreement which put an end to six months of political tension over the country’s October 2020 parliamentary elections.

Parliament made the decision at today’s session, which was delayed after opposition activists and NGO representatives entered parliament and occupied the speaker’s seat, demanding the resignation of PM Garibashvili.

• US Ambassador Degnan: Georgian parliament has power to pause election of judges

The majority of the opposition did not take part in the voting process, with only six of 66 MPs casting their votes. 

• Ombudswoman refuses to participate in parliamentary procedures for Supreme Court candidates

The elected judges are:

• Gocha Abuseridze - 79 in favour, 5 against
• Giorgi Gogiashvili - 79 in favour, 4 against
• Levan Tevzadze - 77 in favour, 6 against
• Revaz Nadaria - 77 in favour, 6 against
• Bidzina Sturua - 78 in favour, 6 against
• Lasha Kochiashvili - 79 in favour, 5 against

Parliament did not support three candidates Ketevan Meskhishvili, Eka Zarnadze and Giorgi Shavliashvili for seats on the Supreme Court. 

• GYLA: clan rule of Georgia’s High Council of Justice remains a major challenge

US ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan called on the Georgian government in June to temporarily stop the process of appointing judges until the implementation of fundamental reforms. 

The interviewing process of the nine candidates, selected by the High Council of Justice, started on July 6.