Levan Murusidze Appointed as Lifetime Judge

A controversial judge, Levan Murusidze, who was elected as the Court of Appeals judge for 3 years in 2015, has now been appointed as a lifetime judge.

Murusidze, who is often referred as a “biased” and “corrupt” judge by part of the society and the civil sector, was supported by 11 members out of 15 of the High Council of Justice (HCOJ).

Non-judge members of the HCOJ, Ana Dolidze and Nazi Janezashvili were the only ones out of the other members who were asking questions to Murusidze.

The judge said that for the last two years “there has been ongoing deliberate defamation against him,” adding it is a lie that he is “incompetent, dishonest and biased.”

Murusidze also responded to the allegations that there is a “clan” of judges in the judicial system of Georgia, who rule the system and make decisions “favorable to their interests.”

“I am declaring with full responsibility that there is no clan is in court…And also, all the allegations towards me are not true,” he stressed during the interview with the HCOJ.

Non-judge member of HCOJ, Ana Dolidze says it is a “shame” that Murusidze was appointed as a lifetime judge.

"What happened today is a shame. The Council of Justice every day is shocking us with shameful decisions. I have no idea where these decisions will lead us… Levan Murusidze was elected with violation of all procedures. He will stay in justice while the whole clan is in the system,” she added.

Moreover, law specialist Kakha Kozhoridze says the HCOJ should be deprived of the right of appointing judges lifetime. He says parliament should be in charge of this function.

“In addition, the HCOJ should be deprived of the right of appointing judges in the first and second instance courts too,” he stressed.

By Thea Morrison

Photo: Netgazeti