Statement regarding the ruling of the Court of Appeal in the case of Nikolz Gvaramia

SEIMAS OF THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA

COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS

STATEMENT

REGARDING THE RULING OF THE COURT OF APPEAL

 IN THE CASE OF NIKOLOZ GVARAMIA

9 November 2022 No 105-P-127

Vilnius

The Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania,

having closely followed the ongoing political processes in Georgia, in particular when it comes to the rule of law, independence of the judiciary, transparency, freedom of expression, freedom of the press, and human rights,

noting that the conviction on 16 May 2022 of Nikoloz Gvaramia, Director of Mtavari TV, the second most popular television channel in Georgia, raises serious doubt over the independence of the judiciary,

stressing that the handling of this case received a negative assessment from the Public Defender (Ombudsman) of Georgia and from a number of Georgia’s allies in 2019,

expresses concern over the ruling of the Court of Appeal, under which Nikoloz Gvaramia, CEO of a Georgian television channel, is sentenced to 3 years and 6 months of imprisonment;

notes that this ruling of the Court of Appeal is an unfortunate example of selective justice;

encourages the Georgian Government to pursue reforms to enhance the freedom of the media and independence of the judiciary;

notes that implementation of the 12 recommendations endorsed by the European Council with a view to granting Georgia an EU candidate status is a prerequisite for Georgia’s integration into the European Union;

expresses its support to the efforts of the Georgian Government to implement the reforms necessary for achieving the country’s aspirations of European integration; and

stresses that the separation of powers ranks among the fundamental principles of a democratic society.

Laima Liucija Andrikienė

Chair of the Committee