Deputy public defender announces his quitting post

Giorgi Burjanadze, the deputy public defender of Georgia who had been taking the post since 2017, on Thursday announced his quitting the position under the new public advocate Levan Ioseliani. 

 

In his social media post Burjanadze, who was also running for the new public advocate, said he had warned his new chief about his plans to leave the post earlier this month, on the day of his election by the parliament. 

 

He noted the only reason why he stayed up to now was the office’s work related to the parliamentary report, which he said would be presented in the coming days. 

 

“For 62 months, I was in public service together with Nino Lomjaria [ former public defender] and many colleagues of the Public Defender’s Office, and despite state propaganda and constant attacks, we had one task – to identify the problems of all people in need and those who violated their rights and to make a recommendation to the relevant state body to correct it”, Burjanadze said. 

 

Lomjaria had been constantly accused by the Georgian Dream authorities of “backing” the United National Movement opposition party. 

 

However, she and her office were widely praised for their efforts in protecting of human rights by the international community