Antony Blinken
Washington D.C./06.04.23/Turan: The State Department on Wednesday imposed visa sanctions against four Georgian judicial officials due to their involvement in significant corruption, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a statement, named the officials as Mikheil Chinchaladze, Levan Murusidze, Irakli Shengelia and Valerian Tsertsvadze.
"These individuals abused their positions as court Chairmen and members of Georgia's High Council of Justice," Blinken noted, adding that Washington would continue to stand with Georgians in support of democracy, the rule of law and accountability.
The Secretary further explained that Washington continues to support the citizens of Georgia in strengthening democracy and the rule of law, and will continue to ensure the accountability of those who abuse public power for personal gain:
“We stand by all judges who have the courage and integrity to act impartially and independently.”
Georgia's judiciary is overseen by the powerful High Council of Justice, which is deemed to have been blocking reforms needed for European integration.
Alex Raufoglu
Politics
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On December 23, a meeting of the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Serbia took place in Belgrade. During the final press conference, Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric reported that the discussions focused on the development of tourism. "We are strengthening efforts to open direct air routes, as well as economic development and energy," said Djuric. The minister expressed confidence that cooperation between Serbia and Azerbaijan would become even closer and more intensive in the near future.
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On Monday, hearings in the case of activist Bakhtiyar Hajiyev continued at the Baku Court for Serious Crimes. At the beginning of the session, Hajiyev drew attention to the unjustified criminal prosecution of activist Raheel Abbasov, who had previously organized public defense for Hajiyev.
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On December 23, the trial of the head of the YouTube resource "Kanal-11" Teymur Kerimov, accused of extortion by threats, continued in the Baku Court of Grave Crimes.
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The head of Mossad (Israel's foreign intelligence service) David Barnea recommended to the country's political leadership strike Iran, not the Houthis, Ynet reported on December 22.
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