Presence of corrupt judges “serious obstacle” for Georgia’s EU integration – TI Georgia head

Eka Gigauri, the Executive Director of Transparency International – Georgia, on Wednesday emphasized the detrimental impact of alleged corruption within the domestic judiciary.

“The presence of corrupt judges poses a significant obstacle to our path towards European Union membership. It is imperative for the government to prioritize measures that facilitate our integration into the EU,” stated Gigauri.

Highlighting the collective desire of the Georgian populace for EU accession, Gigauri stressed the government’s responsibility to fulfill this aspiration.

“The people of Georgia have made it clear: the government must undertake all necessary actions to secure our membership in the EU.”Opposition Member of Parliament Khatia Dekanoidze echoed concerns regarding corruption, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability.

“All individuals, regardless of their position, must undergo scrutiny to ensure their integrity”, she said. 

Dekanoidze emphasized the need for thorough investigations into the origins of gifted properties for several judges, emphasizing the principle of accountability for all citizens.

The ruling Georgian Dream party officials claimed unidentified foreign states were allegedly taking actions to interfere in Georgian politics through the NGOs funded by them, saying the issue of vetting had been “closed”.