US Ambassador Kelly Degnan Says US 'Convinced' of Sanctioned Judges Corrupt Activities
By Liza Mchedlidze
Thursday, April 20, 2023
US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan stated to reporters that the creation of a temporary investigative commission on the court presents an opportunity for the Georgian authorities to look into long-standing allegations of corruption within the court system.
According to Degnan, "protecting four individuals who have credible information about their involvement in corrupt activities is not showing solidarity with the professional judges."
"As we have said many times, this is an opportunity for the Georgian authorities to investigate allegations of corruption in the judicial system, which has been widely known for years. I want to make it very clear, since so many people have made statements as if we are not well informed - there is no room for error.
The United States is absolutely convinced that the basis for sanctioning these four individuals is their involvement in corrupt activities.
We did a very thorough review, gathering information, much of which is publicly available, before we put it into the system that goes to the Secretary of State.
Secretary of State Blinken approved these restrictions because we were absolutely convinced of the basis for it. As I said earlier, this is an opportunity for the Georgian authorities to investigate these allegations themselves in accordance with Georgian law, based on the same publicly available information and other information," said Kelly Degnan.
Kelly Degnan highlighted that many Georgian judges have participated in successful exchange programs and expressed her hope that the government will use this chance to investigate the allegations of corruption, rather than defending individuals with credible information about their involvement in such practices. She also noted that it is important to express solidarity with professional judges who strive to work according to the law.
"We have successful and popular exchange programs in which many Georgian judges have participated. It seems strange to express solidarity with Georgian judges, who are mostly very professional and want to work according to the law.
Defending four people who have credible information about their involvement in corrupt practices is not a display of solidarity with professional judges. I hope the government will use this opportunity to investigate the allegations," stated Degnan.
