Sanctions on judges demonstrate US commitment to help Georgian people – ambassador Degnan

The sanctions announced on Wednesday against four corrupt individuals demonstrate the strong commitment of the United States to fight corruption and help the Georgian people achieve success in building the democratic society they so clearly want and deserve, Kelly Degnan, the US ambassador to Georgia, said in response to the US State Department move to sanction four Georgian judges for “significant corruption”. 

 

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”.

 

“Through their actions, they disregarded the judicial and public process by offering illegal benefits to judges or pressuring them to make decisions in favor of their political allies and manipulated the appointments of judges for personal gain. Through these corrupt actions, they undermined the rule of law and the democratic process, the confidence of the Georgian people”, Degnan said. 

 

The diplomat noted the sanctions provided for the prohibition of entry to the US for the mentioned persons and their immediate family members.