Judge Fired as Journalists Revealed Bribe Taking

(Tbilisi. April 7, 2003. Civil Georgia) – Chairman of the Georgian Supreme Court Lado Chanturia said at the news briefing today that the judge of Gardabani district in southern Georgia was dismissed because of corruption allegations.

“60 Minutes,” an investigative news program on the Tbilisi-based Rustavi 2 TV channel revealed and caught on hidden camera judge taking bribes.

“The General Prosecutor’s Office informed us [the Supreme Court] that the criminal case was initiated against this judge, so he is dismissed,” Lado Chanturia said.

Earlier the Supreme Court tried to defend the judge suspected in the corruption.

In mid-March the Georgian Supreme Court has issued a statement requesting the General Prosecutor’s Office to conduct a criminal inquiry into “60 Minutes” activity, accusing Rustavi 2 and the investigative news program in defamation and disinformation against the judiciary system.