High Council of Justice approves list of judges for Georgian Supreme Court

Georgia's High Council of Justice of Georgia has presented a final, 20 person list, for judges to the Supreme Court.

The list, which will be voted on in parliament, among others, includes Chief Prosecutor Shalva Tadumadze and his deputy Mamuka Vasadze, current head of the Constitutional Court Zaza Tavadze and Secretary of the High Council of Justice Giorgi Mikautadze.

Several MPs, two non-judge members of the High Council of Justice and NGOs have strongly disliked the list, saying that many of the judges on the list are connected with the previous, United National Movement leadership and delivering of ‘unfair verdicts.’

Members of the ruling Georgian Dream party say that the candidates have been selected in line with the new law, drafted based on the recommendations of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe, Agenda.ge reported.

Now it is up to MPs whether or not to approve the list. The list needs the support of 76 MPs at least in the 150-member parliament.