EPP’s Tusk Concerned Over Ugulava’s Jailing
Donald Tusk, head of the European People’s Party, the grouping of European centre-right parties, publicly expressed his concern with regard to Gigi Ugulava’s imprisonment. Tusk, former president of the European Council, stressed that justice system should not be exploited against political opponents.
“The ruling elite must guarantee fair competition,” Tusk wrote.
EPP’s President emphasized the importance of the rule of law under the EU-Georgia Association Agreement.
On February 10, a three-member panel of the Supreme Court found Ugulava guilty of misspending GEL 48 million (USD 17 million) of public money from Tbilisi Development Fund, while serving as the mayor of the capital city, and sentenced him to three years and two months in jail.
Two of the judicial panel members Shalva Tadumadze (former Prosecutor General) and Merab Gabinashvili – who were recently appointed for lifetime tenure – supported the ruling, while Giorgi Shavliashvili, dissented.
Read also:
- European Parliament Members Slam Georgian Gov’t over Ugulava Verdict
- Leading MEPs on EU-Georgia Relations Assess Ugulava’s Imprisonment
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