UK sanctions Georgian judges based on suspicions, assumptions

Despite the lack of specific evidence, the United Kingdom Government on Wednesday imposed sanctions on Levan Murusidze, a member of Georgia’s High Council of Justice and a judge at the Tbilisi Court of Appeals, and Mikheil Chinchaladze, the Chair of the Tbilisi Court of Appeals.

The official statement cites “reasonable grounds to suspect” their involvement in serious corruption.

Authorities believe Murusidze may have received financial benefits from the ruling Georgian Dream party in exchange for favourable court rulings.

“There are reasonable grounds to suspect that Levan Murusidze is in violation of the United Kingdom’s Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions Regulations 2021: Murusidze has engaged or is engaging in serious corruption”, the statement said.

Similar allegations were made against Chinchaladze, though no direct evidence was presented.