Kobakhidze: Statement of U.S. State Department Supportive, not Critical

"Those who can read this statement are well aware that this is actually a supporting statement, as for the call to reinforce efforts for further development of the judicial and prosecutorial system, it isn’t criticism," Irakli Kobakhidze, the executive secretary of the ruling Georgian Dream party, told reporters while commenting on the recent statement of the US Department of State.

He noted that the statement has been translated and understood differently, claiming that "it does not mention politized prosecution or a politized court."

“The statement was understood and translated differently, as it is easy to misinterpret. It does not refer to a politized prosecutor's office and court. The US calls on Georgia to step up its efforts to ensure that the prosecution and the court are not biased. Anyone who can read this statement knows very well that it is actually supportive. As for a call to strengthen efforts for further independence of the court and the Prosecutor's Office, we have been talking about it for a long time, including the fourth wave of judicial reform. It is not a criticism,” he said.

The US Department of State Spokesperson, Morgan Ortagus stated on December 23 that “we urge the Georgian government to reinforce its commitment to the principles of democracy, individual liberty, and rule of law by ensuring that its judicial and prosecutorial system is free of political bias.”

Spokesperson Ortagus also noted that “the United States supports a secure, prosperous, and democratic Georgia,” adding that “we commend the recent progress made on the fourth wave of judicial reform.”

The US Department of State Spokesperson also stated that the U.S. supports “the ongoing dialogue between representatives of the ruling party and the opposition parties on electoral reform.”

“The United States will continue to work with its strategic partner Georgia to promote the rule of law and accountable institutions,” Spokesperson Ortagus concluded.

By Ana Dumbadze 

Related Story: U.S. State Department on Democratic Developments in Georgia