Georgia Update – US State Department’s sanctions on Georgian judges & more– 7 April 2023

Gamarjobat from Sant Gervasi, this is the Rorshok Georgia Update from the 6th of April twenty twenty three. A quick summary of what’s going down in Georgia.

The US State Department imposed sanctions on four Georgian judges for "significantly corrupt activities" and banned their entry to the US. The chairman of the Tbilisi Court of Appeal, Mikheil Chinchaladze; a member of the Supreme Council of Justice, Levan Murusidze; the chairman of the Administrative Affairs Chamber of the Tbilisi Court of Appeal, Irakli Shengelia; and the former chairman of the Tbilisi Court of Appeal, Valerian Tsertsvadze and their family members. They were listed in the statement of the US Secretary of State, Tony Blinken - "The people mentioned misused their positions as court chairpersons and members of the Supreme Council of Justice, thereby harming the rule of law and the public's trust in the Georgian judicial system.

During a telephone interview with the TV main channel, Levan Murusidze commented on the sanctions imposed. He stated that “they” meaning the US or West talk about corruption, but that their intention is to take control of the Judiciary System. He continued saying that there’s nothing they can do and that life would go on regardless of the outcome. Murusidze denied any wrongdoing and expressed confidence that he would overcome the situation. He believed that the accusations against him were unjust, and he claimed to have lived an honest life without breaking any laws.

According to a statement made by Chairman of Georgian Dream, embittered buzz-kill Irakli Kobakhidze, they had not yet made a decision regarding their reaction to the US sanctions against the Georgian judges.

Traffic on the Ricoti Pass is still restricted. According to the Department of Motorways, specialists are evaluating the current situation on the 149th km of the Tbilisi-Senaki-Leselidze highway. Topographical groups and geophysics are working, geological drilling is being carried out, and access roads are also being arranged in order to study the current situation quickly.

At this stage, motor vehicles in the west-east direction are diverted in the direction of the Gomi-Sachkhere-Chiathura-Zestaponi highway.

On Friday the 31st of March, Lazare Grigoriadis was arrested as a preventive measure in the Molotov cocktail case when somebody threw a molotov cocktail near the police.

According to the procurator's position, Grigoriadis shot flammable ie threw "Molotov cocktails" twice at the rally against "Russian law" in the direction of the law enforcement officers during the rallies. He is also alleged to have set fire to the MIA car. He faces from seven to eleven years in prison. Grigoriadis is connected to some opposition politicians and many believe he was set up, and there are many stories of unknown individuals intentionally trying to start violence, presumably on orders from the ruling party, of one type or another during the demonstrations.

On the Same evening a rally was held in support of Grigoriadis, a participant of the March 7-9 protests. Citizens gathered at the government administration building and demanded the release of Grigoriadis

Viola von Kramon, the German MEP who was visiting Georgia, also came to the rally as a sign of solidarity. Irakli Kobakhidze, chairman of Otsneba or "The Georgian Dream", spoke

about this in a public broadcaster."When an MEP attends a rally of any party, it is already unacceptable and once again shows his attitude towards the Georgian state",

Gia Volski, The first vice-speaker of the parliament, told journalists that the European

parliamentarian Viola von Cramon came to Georgia to discredit the western policy and to encourage physical confrontation in the country.

The 2nd of April, a women's solidarity march was held in Tbilisi. Women, human rights defenders, activists, politicians, journalists, as well as public defender Levan Yoselian and other members of the civil society gathered in front of the new theater named after Vaso Abashidze to take part in the march. They were holding flags and banners carrying various messages of equality and solidarity.

On Sunday the 2nd, The medical council created by the Public Defender published the results obtained in the visit to Mikheil Saakashvili at the "Vivamed" clinic on Sunday.

According to doctors, Misha’s condition worsened, because he has severe sarcopenia [muscle degeneration].They also say that the patient lost another four kilograms and that his movement is significantly limited due to his weakness.

Tengiz Tsuladze, a member of the medical council , after visiting Saakashvili, told the media that his condition is serious and he needs serious interventions to save his life.

On Monday the 3rd of April during a government session, the Prime Minister, Irakli Gharibashvili, claimed that the opposition does not want high economic growth, peace, or stability in the country and that they are sacrificing the security of the country and its people. He said that the government is currently at its height, and stands firm and strong. He emphasized that the government maintains peace, stability, and high economic growth, and that no one can oppose them on this path.

On Tuesday the 4thl Parliament supported a legislative package related to the Defence Code in the first reading initiated by the government - 80 deputies supported the code, and 2 were against it. Parliament supported all legislative amendments included in the Defense Code package.

If adopted, this will change the defense code, so that everybody can be conscripted or drafted into the military, EXCEPT for representatives of Orthodox church. All other religious organizations individuals will be called up for compulsory military service. A certificate of "biblical freedom" will also no longer be the basis for postponing service.

On Tuesday 4 April the Tbilisi City Court sentenced Soso Gogashvili, the former Deputy Head of the Georgian State Security Service, to five years in prison on charges of exceeding authority and privacy invasion.

The court found Gogashvili guilty on all five charges brought against him last year, which included illegally obtaining and possessing personal information, illegally obtaining, storing and distributing personal data, exceeding official authority, deliberate disclosure of state secrecy, and

illegal purchase and storage of firearms and ammunition. Before his arrest in July last year, Gogashvili claimed in his social media post he possessed “whistleblowing information” against the current Government.

Nadim Khmaladze, who fought against the Russian army in Ukraine, wrote on his personal Facebook page about the death of two more Georgians in the war.

On the 31st of March, 29-year-old Mikheil Mazanashvili, a citizen of Georgia, was killed as a result of a shell explosion near the city of Bakhmut in Ukraine.

Since the most recent Ukraine war broke out one year ago, forty-one Georgian fighters have been killed in Ukraine.

On Tuesday, Pawel Herczynski, the European Union Ambassador to Georgia, said he hoped

Georgia would become a member of the bloc, noting the outcome would bring enormous benefits to the country.

In his remarks, the European diplomat stressed EU membership meant “stability, peace, prosperity, and a raising the standard of living”. He highlighted reaching the goal domestically required a “national consensus”, with all political forces working together in a spirit of “compromise, inclusivity, and constructiveness”.

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Continuing with sports news Georgia’s weightlifters Mariam Murgvliani and Saba Adamia have become vice-champions at the Youth World Weightlifting Championships, each earning three silver medals at the tournament, the Georgian Weightlifting. At the championship held in Albania, Murgvliani claimed three silver medals. The Georgian weightlifter broke the Georgian record in all categories

Adamia, who competed at the championship in the 102 kg weight category, also broke the country’s record, by improving it by 6 kg. The young athlete won three silver medals and became the vice-champion of the tournament.

Aand, that’s it for this week! What’s your favorite place in Georgia? Where have you been? Write us at georgia@rorshok.com and let us know.

Nakhvamdis!