Blog Post

Conflict of Interest in the Nomination Process of Candidates of Supreme Court Justices

Interviews are being undertaken at High Council of Justice for the sake of nomination of candidates of Supreme Court Justices. Zurab Aznaurashvili and Levan Tevzadze are shortlisted candidates. According to a member of High Council of Justice - Nazi Janezashvili, aforementioned shortlisted candidates have close relation with the members of the High Council of Justice - Tamar Oniani and Irakli Shengelia.

Threat Posed to Freedom of Expression in Georgia

Perceptions of Prosecutors’ and Judges’ Wheelings and Dealings

Rustavi 2 TV channel broadcasted an investigative documentary Studio Monitor and Radio Liberty produced. The documentary “Judges in the Government’s Service” followed up on the government’s attemptedconfiscation of Constanta Bank from its founders in 2011. It further hinted at alleged misconduct by the prosecutors and judges. CRRC-Georgia conducted a follow-up phone survey to find out whether and how the public viewed the documentary.

Georgians are Split over the Prosecutor’s Office in Georgia

Rustavi 2 broadcasted an investigative film created by the Studio Monitor and Radio Liberty about a suspended investigation of the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia. The film How to subjugate a judge? focused on accusations against prosecutors and judges related to the abuse of power, seizure of real estate, and giving of land to private individuals. Phone survey was conducted to find out if people watched the film and what was their attitude towards the issues raised in it. 

Selection of Supreme Court Judges: Public Knowledge & Attitudes About the Process

On December 24^th, 2018, High Council of Justice (HCoJ) of Georgia nominated ten candidates to the country’s Supreme Court. The nomination caused controversy among the representatives of civil society organizations as the nominated judges were either leaders or close associates of a group of judges (so called “clan”) exercising an informal power over Georgia’s judiciary.

Prosecution Service on the Verge of Changes: Way to Improve Existing Challenges in the System

The case of Khorava street murders has yet again initiated discussions about the necessity of changes in the Georgian justice system. The recent rallies were not just a mere protest against the improper investigation of the murder of two schoolchildren, but clearly demonstrated the long-standing public dissatisfaction and mistrust towards the existing justice system, and the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia in particular.

The Constitutional Court did not Disclose Information about the Judge's Disciplinary Proceedings

On July 31, 2017, IDFI applied to the Constitutional Court to issue public information. In particular, IDFI requested to receive a copy of conclusion of the Ethics and Disciplinary Commission of Constitutional Court concerning the disciplinary proceedings against the judge Merab Turava launched on September 6, 2015. On September 25, 2017, our organization also applied to the Constitutional Court and requested information whether there were ongoing disciplinary cases against judges, which had not yet been decided.

Getting Serious (and Technical) About Procurement Corruption: The Transparent Public Procurement Rating Project

For corruption fighters, public procurement is notable for two reasons. One, it is damnably complex. Two, it is often permeated with corrupt deals.  The latter makes it a critical target of anticorruption policy, the former a tough nut to crack. The thicket of laws, regulations, standard bidding documents, and practices that govern procurement means civil society groups advocating counter corruption measures are often at sea.  Lacking expertise on this bewildering set of rules, they can do little more than campaign in general terms for reform, urging steps like “greater transparency” or “tougher penalties” for corrupt activities.

Overview of the decision made by the Strasbourg Court on Merabishvili's Case

On 14 June 2016, the European Court of Human Rights made a decision on the case of former Interior Minister and Prime Minister of Georgia Ivane Merabishvili. The Court found a violation of two Articles of the Convention by the State of Georgia.

Tbilisi City Assembly Parking Fines Point to Ineffectiveness of the Parking System

The number of fines issued on vehicles belonging to the Tbilisi City Council over the past 7 years shows that the existing parking system has failed to regulate parking even just outside the Council building.