GYLA appeals to the High Council of Justice regarding disciplinary offenses committed by the judge Dimitri Gvritishvili

Recent public statements of Dimitri Gvritishvili, a judge and member of the High Council of Justice of Georgia, include violation of norms of judicial ethics and are the grounds for imposing disciplinary liability upon the judge. GYLA files a complaint and requires appropriate response from the High Council of Justice and an independent inspector regarding the following offences:

- Dimitri Gvritishvili’s public statements in social network are inappropriate, insulting and humiliating and do not serve purpose of giving a subject answer to a subject matter, do not have any value in a democratic society. With that, Dimitri Gvritishvili violates subparagraph “c” of paragraph 2 of article 75¹ of Organic Law of Georgia on Common Courts and article 19 of the Norms of Judicial Ethics.

- Public statements made by Dimitri Gvritishvili in the social network and media have political content, expressing open support towards the current political authority and discrediting international organizations, local nongovernmental organizations and their accounts. With that, Dimitri Gvritishvili violates subparagraph “h” of paragraph 2 of article 75¹ of Organic Law of Georgia on Common Courts and article 21 of the Norms of Judicial Ethics.

- Dimitri Gvritishvili publicly stated that he has not reviewed the disputes for more than a year and therefore he does not carry out judicial function. With that, Dimitri Gvritishvili violates subparagraph “e” of paragraph 2 of article 75¹ of Organic Law of Georgia on Common Courts, with respect to sub paragraph “a” of paragraph 1 of article 25 of the same Law.

It should be noted, that Dimitri Gvritishvili is obliged to comply with above mentioned requirements of the law and norms of judicial ethics, regardless of whether he is a judge, chairman of the court, or member of High Council of Justice, at trial or beyond, at the court area or outside the court, during work or non-working hours.

We call upon the independent inspector and the High Council of Justice, to review and evaluate Judge Dimitri Gvritishvili’s actions in compliance with the law and within the time limit established by law and to respond according to the law.