“Any suggestion that the United States was interfering in the judicial process in Georgia is simply not true,” said US Ambassador to Georgia, Kelly Degnan.

Ambassador Degnan was asked to remark on the statement of the Tbilisi City Court Judge, Lasha Ckhikvadze who said that he had a meeting with the US Embassy representative in the Tbilisi City Court following delivering the verdict against Director General of Mtavari Arkhi, Nika Gvaramia.

According to Kelly Degnan, the US spent years and will continue helping Georgia build an independent, impartial and transparent judiciary because this is a pillar of a healthy democracy.

“Any suggestion that the United States was interfering in the judicial process here is, is simply not true.  We’ve spent years helping Georgia build an independent, impartial, transparent judiciary.  It is an essential pillar of the work that we are doing to help Georgia strengthen its rule of law.  We will continue to work with the many partners we have in Georgia’s judicial system on that very goal, because that is such an important part of a healthy democracy, which is to have an impartial, transparent, independent judiciary.  That is what we’re focused on,” Kelly Degnan said.

Earlier today, Tbilisi City Court Judge Lasha Chkhikvadze, who handed down the conviction for Director General of Mtavari Arkhi Nika Gvaramia, stated he was asked to clarify his ruling to US Ambassador Kelly Degnan.