(Tbilisi, July 30, 2003, Civil Georgia) – At the government’s session today President Shevardnadze warned the judges to reject any law suit against the authorities concerning the repayment of the pensioners’ debt.
After the ten-day long hunger strike of the five MPs from the opposition National Movement party, demanding enforcement of the Samtredia and Kutaisi District Courts’ ruling on repayment of the pension backlog accumulated in 1998-2000, President Shevardnadze instructed Finance Ministry to pay the pensioners’ debt.
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;I am sure since the precedent exists many pensioners will go to court and sue the government to repay their debt that is inadmissible. The judges are appointed by me and I have a moral right to request them to reject this kind of law suits,” Eduard Shevardnadze said.
He also said that the trials in court are not necessary to cover the pension backlog. “Government has a plan how to cover this debt and it will be implemented,” Shevardnadze added.
Government elaborates the document according to which the pension backlog will be covered with the securities. In case the Parliament endorses this document, the pensioners will not be able to sue the authorities.
President’s statement causes concern of the civil activists claiming it is interference in the judicial affairs.
“President has no right to deal with the judicial affairs. Shevardnadze’s statement is an unprecedented fact. He violates constitution,̶!
1; Tinatin Khidasheli of Georgian Young Lawyers Association t!
old Civil Georgia.
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