Parliament Committee Chair warns against external influence over Georgia’s judiciary

Archil Gorduladze, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee, on Friday expressed concerns over foreign interference in the domestic judiciary, warning that such influence could extend to the legislative and executive branches of the Government.

In his interview with Imedi TV, Gorduladze argued that external forces were seeking to undermine the country’s judicial system, which could have far-reaching consequences for national governance.

“According to our country’s Constitution, the Government consists of three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. For years, we have witnessed direct attacks on the judiciary, and this is not coincidental. Certain forces have sought and continue to seek control over the judiciary, aiming to undermine its independence and manipulate its decisions”, the Parliament official said.

Gorduladze criticised the United Kingdom’s decision to sanction two Georgian judges based on “reasonable suspicion”, arguing that such measures lack legal substantiation.

“We recently witnessed the United Kingdom imposing sanctions on two judges based on reasonable suspicion. In any legal system, people are not punished based on mere suspicion. Such an approach has never been seen before. The Western civilised world stands on justice and the rule of law, where every sanction must be substantiated by concrete legal grounds”, he noted.

The official also alleged that foreign diplomats had directly interfered in judicial processes by approaching judges to inquire about ongoing cases.

“We must take all necessary measures to counter such decisions, expose them, and most importantly, ensure judicial independence - whether through legislative changes or practical measures. An independent judiciary is fundamental to the country’s strength, including its economic development and attracting investments, which ultimately contribute to Georgia’s progress”, Gorduladze concluded.