PM Kobakhidze condemns European ambassadors’ pressure on Georgian judiciary

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has strongly condemned the presence of foreign ambassadors at court trials, calling it a blatant political interference in Georgia’s judicial system.

Lithuanian and French ambassadors were present at the trial of Mzia Amaglobeli, the founder of opposition publications Netgazeti and Batumelebi, Caliber.Az reports, citing Georgian media.

Amaglobeli is accused of assaulting Batumi’s police chief, Irakli Dgebuadze, during a protest. The investigation claims she slapped the police chief.

Kobakhidze responded sharply, stating, “This is a direct political interference in the independence of Georgian justice. It is as clear as day. I call on everyone to respect the Constitution of Georgia, its principles, and the conventions by which foreign ambassadors working in Georgia are bound.”

The Prime Minister’s condemnation follows a similar criticism he leveled against Germany earlier this month. On March 5, Kobakhidze accused the German Foreign Ministry of gross interference in Georgia’s judicial affairs, in response to Berlin’s demand for the release of a detained activist. "Before, they rudely and directly interfered in our elections — it was German politicians, it was the EU ambassador, and so on. Now, they are directly and rudely interfering in the independence of justice, and this is absolutely unacceptable, especially since Germany has always been known for its special respect for the rule of law and its principles. We do not recognize Germany's stance in this matter," Kobakhidze said.

Further, Kobakhidze expressed hopes that a potential change in German leadership could lead to better relations with Georgia. “Changes in our relations can take place if the new chancellor is free from the influence of the forces of the 'deep state,'" he remarked.

In addition, the Georgian Prime Minister commented on the recent sanctions imposed by the Baltic states on Georgian politicians, MPs, and officials. “The influence of the 'deep state' is very well seen in the example of the Baltic states, which lost their sovereignty long ago. The steps taken by these states are not serious, although we remain in a mode of unilateral friendship with them,” Kobakhidze stated.

Meanwhile, former Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has appealed to Germany's future chancellor, Friedrich Merz, to support holding new elections in Georgia.

Georgia’s most recent presidential election, held on December 14 under a new system, saw Mikhail Kavelashvili of the ruling Georgian Dream party winning the presidency. However, the election was not based on a direct citizen vote but rather by a 300-member electoral college. Zourabichvili, who opposed the election results, rejected its legitimacy, asserting, “No one elected anyone.”

By Tamilla Hasanova