President Kavelashvili revokes judicial appointment amid legal dispute

President Mikheil Kavelashvili has annulled a decree by his predecessor, Salome Zourabichvili, that appointed Kakha Tsikarishvili to the High Council of Justice – an independent body overseeing judicial appointments, often criticized by domestic civil groups for alleged bias toward ruling authorities.

Instead, Kavelashvili has named Manuchar Kakochashvili to the position for a four-year term.

Kakochashvili had previously challenged Tsikarishvili’s appointment in the Tbilisi City Court, arguing that it had been carried out with procedural violations. In a statement, Kavelashvili’s office justified the decision, citing the court’s ruling in favor of Kakochashvili.

“As a result of a thorough review of the materials in the case, it was clearly revealed that the appointment of Tsikarishvili as a member of the High Council of Justice was carried out with procedural violations stipulated by the legislation. Accordingly, the court satisfied Kakochashvili’s lawsuit,” the statement read.

Tsikarishvili was appointed by Zourabichvili on July 15 after a special commission interviewed candidates for the role. The commission presented two names – Tsikarishvili and Giorgi Burjanadze – with the former ultimately being chosen. However, Kakochashvili contested the appointment in court, requesting its annulment and his own appointment in place of Tsikarishvili.

The Administrative Cases Board of the Tbilisi City Court ruled in Kakochashvili’s favor in July, blocking Tsikarishvili from assuming his duties.