On April 4, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze met with Supreme Court judges and members of the High Council of Justice to discuss judicial reforms.

He highlighted significant progress in the judicial system under his administration, emphasizing enhanced independence for courts and judges. Kobakhidze credited these improvements to reforms that have reduced acquittal rates, pre-trial detentions, fines, and the number of cases brought before the European Court of Human Rights. He acknowledged ongoing attacks on Georgia’s independent judiciary—particularly from those who once exploited its weaknesses—and stressed the need to protect judicial autonomy.

Kobakhidze noted that, despite external pressures and criticism from foreign entities and political groups, Georgia’s judiciary has remained resilient and independent since 2012. He cited instances of foreign interference, such as the case of Judge Chkhikvadze, and dismissed the idea of external actors influencing judicial decisions. The Prime Minister also condemned past practices of selective privileges that undermined judicial independence and firmly opposed a vetting system that sought to involve foreign nationals in judicial processes, viewing it as a threat to autonomy.

He asserted that neither foreign sanctions nor political pressure would compromise the judiciary’s independence, describing it as a model of fairness and legality with public trust consistently exceeding 50%. Kobakhidze concluded by pledging unwavering government support to ensure the judiciary’s continued independence and efficiency.