Writhlidze: Manana Kobakhidze's decision shows pressure on judges

Ana Writhlidze, one of the leaders of the United National Movement, said at a press conference that the decision of Constitutional Court judge Manana Kobakhidze clearly shows the pressure on judges. According to her, Kobakhidze first requested recusal on the issue of banning parties, and then left her post altogether. Writhlidze believes that judges are being forced to make an unsubstantiated, legally baseless, anti-statehood and unconstitutional decision on banning parties.

According to Writhlidze, Kobakhidze's decision was preceded by a "very severe conclusion" of the Venice Commission. According to her statement, the commission clearly said that banning political parties is not a defense of the constitutional order, but a attempt to thoroughly undermine the constitutional order of Georgia.

Writhlidze said that the Constitutional Court violated the Constitution already when it accepted for consideration, in secret, a constitutional claim based on the conclusion of the investigative commission, without hearing the parties.

She addressed the judges of the Constitutional Court and said that they have to make a choice "between the Russian occupation regime and the homeland". According to Writhlidze, the decision that Bidzina Ivanishvili is instructing judges to make was written in the Kremlin. In her statement, with this decision the judges are trying to kill the "idea of a free and European Georgia". Writhlidze added that if they carry it out, they will face severe international sanctions and their individual responsibility will be "immeasurable".

Writhlidze added that in the event of any decision by the Constitutional Court, the United National Movement will not bow to the Russian occupation regime and will fight to the end against Ivanishvili for Georgia's freedom.

A decision on whether they will be involved in considering the claim will be made in the near future. According to Writhlidze, they submitted a statement of defense from the outset and filed two additional claims, requesting consideration of the admissibility issue between the parties. According to her, they do not expect a process in court close to a legal process, because they believe there is no independent body in the country and judges are subordinate to the government.