New Proposals over Judiciary Trigger Controversy

Opposition lawmakers have criticized a government proposal to remove a clause from the criminal code which allows for criminal prosecution of judges for illegal court rulings.

The clause allows for a fine or imprisoned of up to five years where a judge has made an illegal ruling.

?The authorities want to remove this clause to provide additional guarantees for dishonest judges, like those who presided over the Sandro Girgvliani and Amiran Robakidze cases? MP Kakha Kukava of the opposition Conservative Party said on June 12.

Public Defender Sozar Subari, however, hailed proposal. He told RFE/RL Georgian service on June 13 that the clause enables prosecutors to initiate criminal investigation against a judge just because of ?interpretation of law.?

?Interpretation of law is up to a judge. There are other clauses in the law which envisage punishment of a judge if latter makes ruling under a corruption deal, or under any kind of pressure,? Subari said.

Another proposal by the ruling majority to ban video and audio recording of court sessions by media sources has also been slammed by the opposition.

?The government has decided to deprive the public of a chance to know what is happening in our courtrooms,? Kukava said.

MP Nino Kalandadze of the ruling National Movement Party, however, rejected the allegations as groundless.

?Only video and audio recording will be restricted; but no one is going to deny journalists access to court sessions,? Kalandadze, deputy chairman of the parliamentary committee for legal issues, said.

Public Defender Sozar Subari also criticized proposal and said that it is inappropriate for the country where judiciary is still in a transition and reforms are still underway.

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