Georgian ruling party official optimistic about potential sanction relief for judges under new US ambassador

Mamuka Mdinaradze, leader of the ruling Georgian Dream parliamentary majority, on Tuesday expressed optimism over the potential lifting of sanctions against Georgian judges under the current US ambassador Robin Dunnigan. 

He emphasized the detrimental effects of “groundless sanctions” on judges, leading to “unwarranted accusations and a campaign to discredit the court”.

Mdinaradze highlighted the distinction between the previous ambassador, Kelly Degnan and her successor, suggesting “differing motivations” and expressed hope that Dunnigan’s tenure would facilitate the fulfillment of conditions for lifting sanctions against judges.

Stressing the importance of protecting “independent and honest judges”, he also emphasized the adverse impact of these sanctions, generating “false aggression among citizens who are subjected to psychological terror by certain political factions”.

The US Department of State in April 2023 imposed visa restrictions on Georgian judges Mikheil Chinchaladze, Levan Murusidze, Irakli Shengelia, and Valerian Tsertsvadze, for alleged “significant corruption”.