Georgian judges due to attend training programs in the US are being pressured to cancel their trips in solidarity with colleagues sanctioned by the US State Department, Formula TV has learned.
Several judges are being forced to withdraw from an educational project aimed at raising judges’ qualifications in the US, Formula by a judge speaking on the condition of unanimity.
Formula has also found out judge Badri Kochlamazashvili is one of the judges facing pressure. Justice Kochlamazishvili confirmed his intent to travel to the US but denied pressure to withdraw.
Formula also identified the names of several other candidates. Among them are the judges of the Kutaisi and Batumi courts.
Levan Murusidze, a now US-sanctioned leader of the so-called clan of judges who have accused the US Embassy to Georgia of plans to “subjugate” Georgian judiciary has said educational trips to the US have no value. Mr Murusidze has also said he fears the US Embassy may take his life.
Prime Minister Garibashvili visited the Supreme Court declaring support for the sanctioned judges and calling the US move to sanction four Georgian judges “for significant corruption” an interference into Georgia’s sovereignty.
The sanctioned judges and other members of the clan said to be linked with Bidzina Ivanishvili have made conspiratorial anti-American statements which former US Congressman and now CNN’s Senior Political Commentator Adam Kinzinger has said mimic Russian propaganda.
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