Judge Sergo Metopishvili posts statement on social media

Judge Sergo Metopishvili has issued a statement via social media.

We present his words unaltered:

“What is contained in the letter sent under the name of the United National Movement, which is referenced in the information circulated by the Prosecutor’s Office, is exactly what former judge Besarion Alavidze is currently doing. The letter alleges that the court should be slandered with fabrications and scandalised, that mud should be thrown at the judiciary, while opposition television channels handle the rest of the black PR, ultimately aiming to undermine the entire court system and to demonstrate this to foreign observers. This is precisely the strategy being employed by Alavidze.

At the time, Alavidze was a serving judge serving a fixed term, with his appointment due to expire and the prospect of reappointment on the horizon. Naturally, he expected recognition in the form of this reappointment. That is why he did not act then. However, after the High Council of Justice, following a competitive process, refused to recommend him for permanent appointment, this disgruntled individual began to spread slander and mud against the court system, executing exactly the plan outlined in that letter, which was orchestrated through this correspondence.

His curator in this scheme was Kakha Tsikarishvili, another active figure within the engaged non-governmental sector, who, through his connections with foreign embassies, secured him political asylum in exchange for carrying out this dirty task. As it appears, Alavidze struck a deal with unpatriotic NGOs opposing the judiciary, along with their foreign patrons, and has already received the promised benefits in the form of asylum. He meticulously carried out the political mission stipulated in the letter, though the benefits he received differed from those initially promised.

Finally, I invite you to compare Alavidze’s actions with the plan outlined in the letter, the content of which is as follows:

Posted on 07.02.2017 at 15:21

According to information disseminated by the Prosecutor’s Office, D. Sakvarelidze promised judges ‘the highest career positions.’

The materials reveal that the author of these communications promised Supreme Court judges, in this case, Besarion Alavidze and Paata Katamadze, ‘immunity’ and ‘the highest career positions’. The letter states: ‘You will become untouchable heroes and will be guaranteed the highest career opportunities in the future,’ and claims that these judges received such promises under the name of D. Sakvarelidze.

This letter, which forms part of the evidence in the investigation into gross interference in judicial activities, also urges the judges to ‘speak openly about the pressure and coercion being exerted against them’. It states: ‘We know from Gvaramia that you and Paata Katamadze are our support. We are aware of the difficulties you face, but soon this will come to an end. Their time has passed. Everything will be valued for you as well. You will lead the legal sector as soon as we return, and this position will not be reviewed.’

Further, it continues: ‘Now I understand that the court should have stood on the side of reliable people like you. But the main point now is: Misha values such loyalty from you, and I believe it is necessary to “artificially split this group from within”. In agreement with him, I ask you to try to scandalise any issue, even trivial ones. It doesn’t matter whether it’s convincing or not. It’s better if you publicly claim you are under unimaginable pressure, that you are being threatened, terrorised, surveilled, and say whatever comes to mind. Think of something better if you can. Nika already knows the rest; he will stir up black PR so that this entire matter is ultimately discredited. You will become untouchable heroes and be guaranteed the highest career opportunities in the future. Most importantly, foreigners will see what’s happening, and the rest will be washed away. That is precisely what this situation demands. Everything else is now just a matter of technique. It will become easier for you, and ultimately, we will destroy them. I am glad that people like you are found and exist in Georgia,” states the letter, which, according to the Prosecutor’s Office, the judges received simultaneously under the name of D. Sakvarelidze.