Former Justice Minister: Georgia Won Dispute with Russia in Strasbourg Court

Former Justice Minister, presently Education Committee Chair, Tea Tsulukiani, said Georgia has won the dispute with Russia in the Strasbourg court.

Tsulukiani writes about it on social media: "We have won! Congratulations, Georgia! Congratulations to everyone on the great victory!

"Georgia has won the dispute with Russia! The Grand Chamber of the Strasbourg Court announced this most important decision for us at the oral hearing a few minutes ago!

"Georgia has never had such a document before. It is a legal document and legally opposes any recognition and self-recognition of the indivisible parts of Georgia as "independent states". This is a legal document that will enable the real strengthening of Georgia's legal and political positions on the way to the peaceful restoration of our country's territorial integrity," Tsulukiani wrote.

For the record, the decision on the case "Georgia v. Russia" was to be announced today.

An official statement from the court has not yet been released.

On 12 August 2008, the Republic of Georgia instituted proceedings before the Court against the Russian Federation relating to “its actions on and around the territory of Georgia in breach of CERD [the 1965 International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination]”. Georgia claimed that “the Russian Federation, through its State organs, State agents, and other persons and entities exercising governmental authority, and through the South Ossetian and Abkhaz separatist forces and other agents acting on the instructions of, and under the direction and control of the Russian Federation, is responsible for serious violations of its fundamental obligations under CERD, including Articles 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6”.

The case was sent to the Grand Chamber for consideration on April 3, 2012.

By Ana Dumbadze 

Related Story: ECHR to Issue Verdict on August 2008 War