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The News in Brief

Friday, January 24
By Liza Mchedlidze



Giorgi Gakharia questions the form of dialogue, says the letter from U.S congressmen might be ‘subjective’

Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia responded to 4 U.S congressmen's critical letter, saying that the Georgian Government is ready to ‘calmly’ discuss every topic with the country’s international partners and questioned the form of "dialogue through letters" while discussing the above-mentioned letter.

“Maybe letters are not a relevant form of a dialogue between strategic partners and friends. We have no problem to sit down and discuss critical and accurate assessments, even if we think they are not true, and discuss plans. We should acknowledge that no matter the motives of certain letters or similar actions and assessments, we believe that these are honest steps supporting friendship and democratic processes in Georgia, which we are sure that the United States supports. There is a possibility of subjective assessment,” said Gakharia.

4 U.S congressmen sent a letter to Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia on January 21, in which they criticize and express concern over political persecution of opposition leaders, the unfavorable business environment for American and European companies and violence against peaceful protesters.



Ombudsman Nino Lomjaria says the Minister of Justice violated the law by publicizing her confidential prison visit

Ombudsman Nino Lomjaria stated that the Minister of Justice Tea Tsulukiani has violated the law by publicizing the confidential prison visit details, which according to her is an ‘unprecedented’ case. She spoke about the law-backed confidentiality of ombudsman visiting prisoners.

“According to the Organic Law on the Public Defender of Georgia, Public Defender’s communication of any kind with prisoners is confidential. Today, the Minister of Justice of Georgia violated criminal law, committed a crime. Her Ministry’s official website published details of my visit. This is interfering in Ombudsman’s business and is a crime.”

"What is happening in the country today is a shame. I will not allow such a shameful thing to happen to the Public Defender's institute."

Nino Lomjaria will inform Georgia’s international partners next week in Strasbourg.

Details of Nino Lomjaria's visit to jail has been released by the penitentiary service. According to them, the Public Defender and his deputy, Giorgi Burjanadze, visited inmates Vano Merabishvili, Irakli Okruashvili and Kakhaber Nakani.