The News in Brief
Friday, April 7, 2023
Prepared by Messenger Staff
MEP Rasa Jukneviciene Says it is Important to Sanction Bidzina Ivanishvili
MEP Rasa Jukneviciene, in an interview with Formula Channel called the US State Department's decision to sanction four Georgian judges an 'important' step forward and said that it is also important to sanction Bidzina Ivanishvili who, according to her, is behind everything including justice, judges, political systems.
"It is a very important step forward and a message from the State Department. The European Parliament has more than once requested the imposition of sanctions, but we are talking about the imposition of sanctions against the most important person who is behind everything, including judges, justice and political systems, naturally, I mean Bidzina Ivanishvili.
I believe that the case of the judges and this decision is the beginning of the process. As for sharing the decision of the US State Department with the European Union, let's see, I can't say anything in advance yet. Here, the unanimity of all EU member states is important," said Jukneviciene.
Archil Talakvadze Criticizes US for Sanctioning Judges, Questions Fairness of decision
One of the leaders of the ruling party, Archil Talakvadze, criticized the US decision to sanction Georgian judges and said the judicial system has improved under the rule of the Georgian Dream.
"Today's court is much freer and our government has improved the independence of the court," Talakvadze said.
"It is unfortunate that our friendship has reached the point where we speak to each other in the language of sanctions. I mean Georgia and the USA. Second, you know that the court, like other democratic institutions, is evaluated by objective criteria.
4 judges were approved today. One of these four, Tsertsvadze, has been working in the court for a long time. The other three are in different hierarchical positions. Under the conditions of our government, balance has returned to the court, which means that when citizens dispute with the court, they win equally," said Talakvadze.
According to him, this is a very serious decision and the ruling party will take this issue seriously.
"We will inform and explain to the public what the next steps will be. It is not fair to use such a tool and moreover, it is categorically unacceptable. When there is such a strategic partnership between our countries, it is not fair to use such a tool," said Talakvadze.
According to Talakvadze, sanctions make sense when they are fair.
"Sanctions make sense when they are fair. If you are unfairly sanctioned, it will not weaken you morally in any case," said stated Talakvadze.
MEP Rasa Jukneviciene Says it is Important to Sanction Bidzina Ivanishvili
"It is a very important step forward and a message from the State Department. The European Parliament has more than once requested the imposition of sanctions, but we are talking about the imposition of sanctions against the most important person who is behind everything, including judges, justice and political systems, naturally, I mean Bidzina Ivanishvili.
I believe that the case of the judges and this decision is the beginning of the process. As for sharing the decision of the US State Department with the European Union, let's see, I can't say anything in advance yet. Here, the unanimity of all EU member states is important," said Jukneviciene.
Archil Talakvadze Criticizes US for Sanctioning Judges, Questions Fairness of decision
"Today's court is much freer and our government has improved the independence of the court," Talakvadze said.
"It is unfortunate that our friendship has reached the point where we speak to each other in the language of sanctions. I mean Georgia and the USA. Second, you know that the court, like other democratic institutions, is evaluated by objective criteria.
4 judges were approved today. One of these four, Tsertsvadze, has been working in the court for a long time. The other three are in different hierarchical positions. Under the conditions of our government, balance has returned to the court, which means that when citizens dispute with the court, they win equally," said Talakvadze.
According to him, this is a very serious decision and the ruling party will take this issue seriously.
"We will inform and explain to the public what the next steps will be. It is not fair to use such a tool and moreover, it is categorically unacceptable. When there is such a strategic partnership between our countries, it is not fair to use such a tool," said Talakvadze.
According to Talakvadze, sanctions make sense when they are fair.
"Sanctions make sense when they are fair. If you are unfairly sanctioned, it will not weaken you morally in any case," said stated Talakvadze.