Anything that even looks like political persecution threatens Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic future

The importance of an impartial judiciary is a central part of Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic future, and anything that even looks like politicization, political persecution, puts this Euro-Atlantic future at risk, said US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan, responding to the decision of the Court of Appeal in the case of the CEO of a television company ” Mtavari Arkhi” (“Main Channel”) by Niki Gvaramia.

“Everyone has seen the statements of the US and EU embassies, as well as the statements of other European friends of Georgia. Everything the US has been doing for Georgia over the past 30 years has been aimed at supporting the Georgian people’s clear choice for a democratic future. The importance of an impartial judiciary is critical to this future, and anything that even looks like politicization, political persecution, jeopardizes this Euro-Atlantic future. The leaders of Georgia, including the ruling party, promised the Georgian people before the parliamentary elections that further important steps would be taken on Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic path, and everything that hinders and jeopardizes this is alarming. In the US, we defend the independence of our judiciary because we know that an impartial judiciary is the foundation of our democracy, strengthens it, and makes it more sustainable. We want the same for the Georgian people. The Georgian people say they want a strong democracy, they want a Euro-Atlantic future, and the US will continue to support the Georgian people in achieving these aspirations. This is what we have been doing for 30 years and this is what we will continue to do. We really believe in Georgia’s success and want to see this country stable, peaceful and prosperous,” the ambassador said.