Georgian Judge announces actions to dispute his sanctioning by US

Irakli Shengelia, a Georgian judge who was last week sanctioned by the US for alleged corruption, on Monday announced actions to dispute the “unprecedented and absolutely unfounded decision”. 

 

“I would like to inform the public that I am taking active steps to appeal to the appropriate US judicial authority and challenge the unprecedented, completely unjustified decision to sanction me on the most serious charge of engaging in corruption, which is directed against my honor and reputation. I will not get used to the label of a corrupt judge”, he said in his social media post. 

 

The judge claimed the only reason behind the move was his reputation as the “US visa is not the main thing, maybe I will never travel there again; The most important thing is to protect the dignity and the business reputation that I have earned as a result of conscientiously and competently performing my duties throughout my life”. 

 

The visa restrictions have been imposed on Mikheil Chinchaladze, Levan Murusidze, Irakli Shengelia and Valerian Tsertsvadze for their alleged “involvement in significant corruption”, and “abusing their positions as court chairmen and members of Georgia’s High Council of Justice, undermining the rule of law and the public’s faith in Georgia’s judicial system”.