Nazi Janezashvili refsues to attend interviews for new public advocate

Nazi Janezashvili, one of the 19 candidates running for the country’s next public defender, on Friday said that she would not participate in the interviews in parliament for selecting a new ombudsperson, stating that “it is a show” and that the ruling party “is seeking a desired nominee, not an independent public advocate”. 

However, she said that she would not remove her candidacy. 

Janezashvili, who currently chairs an NGO working on judiciary issues and previously serving as a non-judge member in the High Council of Justice of Georgia, claimed that she expected the ruling party could change its priorities and “accepted” the selection of an “unbiased” public amid the country’s move for the EU membership candidate status. 

“However, it is not like that. I would like to clarify that according to the law, regulations and procedures established by the parliament of Georgia, it is not mandatory to go to the interview, therefore, I am using this opportunity and I have no plans to go to the interview, where some kind of show and performances are being staged all this time”, Janezashvili said. 

She also pointed to the interest conflict as the Girchi – More Freedom MP Iago Khvichia was running for the post and at the same time he maintained his mandate in the state legislature, while the parliament is set to approve the new public advocate in winter.