I call upon the judges of the Constitutional Court to distance themselves from their own pasts and, for once, make a decision conscientiously—upholding Georgia, its people, and the Constitution — Sophio Khorguani
During a plenary session of Parliament, Sophio Khorguani—an MP and one of the leaders of the party "Gakharia for Georgia"—addressed the ongoing proceedings at the Constitutional Court regarding the potential banning of five political parties. She accused the ruling team of supporting judges linked to the past of the judicial system and urged the judges to base their decisions on their conscience and the Constitution.
According to Khorguani, the backgrounds of the judges involved in reviewing the case raise questions; she noted that some of them served as prosecutors or judges under the previous administration—part of the very system that the "Gakharia for Georgia" representative herself criticizes.
"Through whose hands do you intend to put an end to the rule of the people in Georgia? Who is reviewing this unconstitutional claim—who is running the show at the Constitutional Court?" — Khorguani addressed the parliamentary majority.
He stated that when the ruling team speaks of "punishing the regime," they should consider not only the political leaders but also the system itself—a system which, according to Khorguani, shielded crimes, falsified case files, and handed down unlawful verdicts.
The MP discussed the careers of judges Revaz Nadaraia and Sergo Metopishvili, noting that they held positions under the previous administration and that their career advancement continued even after 2012.
Khorguani also recalled the case of Sergeant Roin Shavadze, stating that Shavadze was arrested, tortured, and killed, and his body was left on the road to Kobuleti. He argued that the circumstances surrounding this case are particularly significant, given that the Constitutional Court is currently reviewing a petition to ban certain political parties—a process involving judges whose past conduct he calls into question. "You claim that the Shavadze case serves as evidence, yet in reality, this case is being examined by the very people who were its direct architects," stated Khorguani.
He asked the Speaker of Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, whether he would distance himself from Vasil Roinishvili—who, according to Khorguani, failed to respond appropriately to the case involving the torture of Roin Shavadze—as well as from Mikheil Saakashvili’s statement labeling Shavadze a traitor.
"That regime relied on prosecutors capable of anything, and on a judiciary that had effectively become a mere notary for the Prosecutor’s Office; you are doing the exact same thing—you are built upon the very same foundation. Distance yourself from it! Otherwise, I have every right to call you the 'collective National Movement,'" Khorguani declared.
Concluding his remarks, the MP urged the judges of the Constitutional Court to break with the past and to reach a decision regarding the potential banning of political parties in a manner that upholds the Constitution of Georgia and protects the interests of the people. "You have the chance—despite what we have witnessed in recent days—to distance yourselves from your past and, for once, make a decision conscientiously, in defense of Georgia, its people, and the Constitution," stated Khorguani.
He added that, ultimately, the people of Georgia will prevail and secure a just state; however, the role of the judges in history will be judged based on the decisions they make today.