West began to do what Georgians could not since gaining independence – former ombudsperson

I think the West has started to do what we Georgians could not do over the past 30 years, and what we need most: to expose and hold accountable those who are corrupt and abuse their power, Georgia’s former public defender Nino Lomjaria said on Wednesday in her social media post. 

 

Lomjaria, who was sharply criticized by the current government and praised by the international community for her efforts while in office, added  “ I hope it will continue like this and Georgian politics, ‘business’, justice and many other areas will no longer be a radiation field for honest people. I look at this process very positively”. 

 

The US imposed sanctions on three acting and one former judges last week for alleged corruption, with the judges and the current authorities claiming the move was “unfair” and “politically grounded”. 

 

The Georgian Dream officials claimed the sanctions came “unexpectedly” and without presenting “any evidence”. 

 

The sanctioned judges have been cited as the leaders of the  “judiciary clan” by domestic organizations over years.