Massive Dismissal of Judges and Implementation of Disciplinary Measures against the Judiciary Begins in Kakheti

Massive Dismissal of Judges and Implementation of Disciplinary Measures against the Judiciary Begins in Kakheti

According to the information, gained by the Human Rights Information and Documentation Centre, pressure on judges has now moved from Tbilisi to Kakheti.

Apparently, disciplinary measures against four judges from the Sighnaghi, Gurjaani, Telavi and Sagarejo regions will begin soon.

Soso Begiashvili - The head of Sighnaghi Regional Court:

A correspondent of the Human Rights Centre phoned Begiashvili on the 6th of March. Begiashvili would not answer the question as to whether or not he was again working as the Head of the Regional Court.
-“We have information, that you are leaving your post. What is the reason for your decision?”
- “I do not want to make any comment.”
- “Has someone forced you to make such decision?”
- “I do not want to say anything. Why are you interested in this? And why have you only contacted me? I do not know, what will happen!”

According to information gained in court, Begiashvili was found to have committed violations. The court staff say that the head of the High Court, Kote Kublashvili, forced Begiashvili to write a letter of resignation. However, the “order” was later changed and Begiashvili went for health treatment. Apparently, he will not return to his job from his “holidays”.

Maguli Ghvaladze – The head of Gurjaani Regional Court – has written his letter of resignation twice now:

Maguli Ghvaladze wrote the first letter of resignation after a raid on the Regional Court by the Ministry of Justice. It is important to note that the representatives of the Ministry of Justice only checked cases that had been judged by Maguli Ghvaladze. After that, she was summoned to the Council of Justice, where, according to unofficial information, she resigned from her post.

According to information gained by the Human Rights Centre, the prosecutor of the Gurjaani regional branch of the General Prosecutor’s Office, Emzar Dgikurashvili, will be hired for the position as head of Gurjaani Regional Court.

Natela Jashiashvili – Judge of the Telavi Regional Court – still holds her post:

Natela Jashiashvili denies information that shows disciplinary measures are being implemented against her. “I have not written the letter of resignation”, declared the judge to the Human Rights Centre. However, the centre has reliable information that the Head of the High Court, Kote Kublashvili, has also hinted that Jashiashvili should leave her post and that she will write a letter of resignation in the next few days.

Nikoloz Purtseladze – The former head of the Sagarejo Regional Court:

Dismissed.

According to unofficial information, Vazha Turashvili, the head of Kvareli Regional Court will leave his post soon. However, he denies making any comments.

It is important to realise that these changes to the Kakheti regional courts only came about after a visit from the Head of the High Court, Kote Kublashvili, to the region.

The Human Rights Information and Documentation Centre demands an immediate reaction to these events.

For more details, please contact:

Gela Mtivlishvili

Address: 14 Noneshvili Street, III Floor, Gurjaani, 1500, Georgia
Tel.: ( 8 253) 2 22 11
E-mail: Gela_imedi@yahoo.com
Web-page: www.HumanRights.ge