any hint of US interference in court proceedings in Georgia ‘simply not true’

Kelly Degnan, the United States Ambassador to Georgia, said Friday any suggestion of US interference in the Georgia court process was “simply not true.”

Degnan commented on a statement by Tbilisi City Court Judge Lasha Chkhikvadze on Friday alleging interference by a US embassy official in his sentencing of Nika Gvaramia, founder of opposition channel Mtavari Arkhi, to prison in May.

Any suggestion that the United States was interfering in the legal process here is simply not true. We have spent years helping Georgia build an independent, impartial and transparent judiciary. It is an essential pillar of the work we are doing to help Georgia strengthen its rule of law,” the US diplomat told local media.

Degnan stressed that the embassy will continue to work with partners in the Georgian judicial system on the stated goals, adding that the goal is “such an important part of a healthy democracy, namely an impartial, transparent and independent judiciary”.

In his comments, Chkhikvadze had alleged that Kevin Burke, a US Embassy representative at the US Department of Justice, had asked him questions about the Gvaramia case and told him the US ambassador was wondering “why I got the guilty verdict in the case, and specifically why I am guilty.” the reason for my use of imprisonment as punishment [for Gvaramia]“.

The judge called on political parties, diplomatic corps, international and non-governmental organizations in Georgia not to “put pressure” on the Georgian court and allow the judges to administer justice in a “peaceful environment”.