US sanctioning Georgian judges “without evidence” “gross violation” of judicial independence, constitution - ruling party head

Irakli Kobakhidze, the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Friday said the United States’ decision in April to impose visa restrictions on three acting and one former Georgian judges for “significant corruption” had come “without evidence” and was a “gross violation” of the country’s judicial independence and its constitution. 

In his press comments, which followed remarks by Kelly Degnan, the US Ambassador to Georgia, on Thursday, in which she had described the sanctions as an “important mechanism” used following “reliable information on corruption or other illegal activities”, Kobakhidze said “no evidence” had been presented for the allegations. 

When Georgian judges are sanctioned by a foreign country without any evidence, of course, this means directly interfering with the principle of judicial independence. This is a very acute action. No one should allow themselves to do this. We do not allow ourselves to do this”, Kobakhidze said. 

The party official also said the former United National Movement Government had used “such methods” to “punish judges”, and drew parallels by adding “now, the same is happening [from] outside the country. This is fundamentally unacceptable”. 

In her comments, the US diplomat said the three sanctioned acting judges - Mikheil Chinchaladze, Levan Murusidze, Irakli Shengelia and former judge Valerian Tsertsvadze - were “hindering” the establishment of a “truly impartial judiciary in Georgia”. 

She also highlighted the country would “never have a strong, healthy and vibrant democracy” without an impartial judiciary, adding an unbiased court system was also “essential” for free and fair elections, resolving business disputes and attracting foreign investments.