No Alternative to Georgia's European Integration, 17 Judges Declare

“We, the judges of Georgia, believe it is our constitutional duty to loudly and unequivocally declare our position in support of the rule of law, the protection of human rights, and the pursuit of the country's European future.

While adhering to professional ethics and maintaining political neutrality regarding the current political processes in the country, we condemn violence and disassociate ourselves from any decisions or actions that contradict the requirements of Article 78 of the Constitution of Georgia.

We remain faithful to the oath we took as judges before God and the nation, firmly believing that there is no alternative to Georgia's European integration.

Georgia belongs where human dignity, freedom, and peace are paramount values. Therefore, Georgia's rightful place is in Europe!” reads the statement, which is open for judges to sign.

At present, the statement has been signed by 17 judges from city, district, appellate, and supreme courts:

1. Levan Darbaidze - Judge of the Gori District Court
2. Madonna Maisuradze - Judge of the Rustavi City Court
3. Eka Areshidze - Judge of the Tbilisi City Court
4. Manana Meskhishvili - Judge of the Tbilisi City Court
5. Tsitsino Kikvadze - Judge of the Kutaisi City Court
6. Tamar Chikhladze - Judge of the Tbilisi City Court
7. Devi Devidze - Judge of the Bolnisi District Court
8. Tamar Khazhomia - Judge of the Tbilisi City Court
9. Davit Tsereteli - Judge of the Tbilisi City Court
10. Ketevan Meskhishvili - Judge of the Tbilisi Court of Appeal
11. Vladimer Khuchua - Judge of the Tetritskaro District Court
12. Ekaterine Gasitashvili - Supreme Court Judge
13. Nino Gergauli - Judge of the Gori District Court
14. Lasha (Germane) Dadeshkeliani - Judge of the Gori District Court
15. Tea Sokhashvili-Nikolaishvili - Judge of the Tbilisi Court of Appeal
16. Mamuka Tsiklauri - Judge of the Telavi District Court
17. Lela Nozadze - Judge of the Tbilisi City Court

Yesterday, November 28, the illegitimate Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze informed the public of the Georgian Dream party's decision that Georgia will not put the issue of opening accession negotiations on the agenda until the end of 2028 and will refuse EU budget grants.

President Salome Zourabichvili characterized this decision as the beginning of a "constitutional coup" and stated that the illegitimate government had declared war on its own people.

Rallies were held in Tbilisi and other regions to protest the decision. The Ministry of Internal Affairs dispersed the citizens gathered near the Parliament in the capital.

The police began breaking up the demonstration at around 2 a.m., using pepper spray, tear gas, and water jets mixed with chemical irritants against the demonstrators. As per the Public Defender's assessment, the Ministry of Internal Affairs violated the freedom of assembly, as the action was peaceful at the time citizens were dispersed using special means. "In the video footage and the information disseminated, numerous episodes of the unjustified use of special means against protesters, including politicians, as well as journalists and detainees, can be seen, along with cases of alleged unjustified arrests, direct intent of violence, and deliberate persecution," stated the Public Defender.

About 40 media representatives were injured as a result of the crackdown on the rally. A total of 43 people were arrested administratively on charges of disobeying a police officer's request and petty hooliganism. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has initiated a criminal case on charges of assaulting a policeman and damaging or destroying someone else's property.