US sanctioning of Georgian judges was anti-Georgian, harmful for US – PM

Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Tuesday reacted to potential sanctions on the representatives of the ruling Georgian Dream Government for the recent adoption of the controversial foreign influence transparency law, and claimed the US move last year to impose travel restrictions on three acting and one former Georgian judge for “significant corruption” had “affected only the United States”. 

“When visa restrictions were imposed on four judges without any evidence, it only damaged America’s image in Georgia. We asked for evidence and they could not provide any evidence, and of course, such things damage the image of America. The judge should be the most protected”, he told the press. 

Kobakhidze also answered the question of how he imagined European integration when he criticized the ambassadors of European states.

“When specific entities make anti-Georgian statements and take anti-Georgian steps, sanctioning Georgian judges without the same evidence was also an anti-Georgian step. When anti-Georgian steps are taken, when anti-Georgian statements are made, of course, it is our obligation to the Georgian state and Georgian society to have a proper and adequate response”, the top official said. 

The sanctioned judges were connected with high-profile cases under the United National Movement Government. The domestic civil sector have also accused them of making a “clan” in the court system and alleged affiliation with the GD authorities.