Georgia’s High Council of Justice rushes to add new members – NGO head

Georgia’s High Council of Justice, which selects and appoints judges across the country, is attempting to add new members before the parliamentary elections in October, according to Nazi Janezashvili, a former member of the council and the current head of the Court Watch NGO.

“The question arises as to why the High Council of Justice decided to announce the contest so early, which is quite unnatural and unprecedented,” Janezashvili remarked. “According to the law, a contest should be announced three months before the term of an incumbent judge expires. This early announcement likely connects to anticipated changes in Georgia, and it seems judges themselves have certain fears. They are trying to fully staff the judiciary with desired candidates before the parliamentary elections.”

In a move that deviates from standard procedures, the Council of Justice announced the competition for the Supreme Court judge position a year before the current judge’s term expires in June 2025.

Domestic NGOs claim the Council is under the influence of a “clan of judges” which is allegedly affiliated with the current Georgian Dream authorities. The latter dismisses the challenges as fake.