Levan Mikaberidze Joins Georgia’s High Council of Justice: A Masterclass in Judicial “Transparency”

Sometimes the Georgian judiciary delivers better political satire than any late-night comedy show. At the latest Judges’ Conference, Levan Mikaberidze, Supreme Court judge and member of the notorious judicial “clan,” was elected as a judge-member of the High Council of Justice — with a whopping 290 votes and not a single opposing vote. Ah, Georgian democracy at its finest: when the votes are unanimous, you can almost smell the backroom deals.

This new appointment follows the departure of judge Rezo Nadaraya, who left the Council to become chairman of the Constitutional Court. According to Levan Murusidze, another heavyweight of Georgia’s judicial elite, this was all perfectly normal and “honorable.” Nadaraya, we’re told, simply moved up in the judicial hierarchy. But anyone familiar with Georgia’s political scene knows that nothing is ever quite that innocent.

Who Is Levan Mikaberidze? Spoiler: Not Exactly Mr. Clean

Levan Mikaberidze is no stranger to the Georgian public or to watchdog organizations. He belongs to a powerful group of judges often referred to as the “clan” — an informal network that critics say dominates the judiciary, undermines independence, and shields its members from accountability.

More damningly, Mikaberidze has hidden key assets in his 2024 asset declaration. According to official records, he conveniently forgot to disclose two properties owned by his wife, Zeinab Chelidze:

• A 984 m² plot with a house in the village of Kveda Salibauri (Khelvachauri Municipality)

• Another 520 m² plot in the same village

Under Georgia’s anti-corruption law, Supreme Court judges are legally required to fully report such assets. Failure to do so is, bluntly, a violation of the law. But apparently, that’s no obstacle to career advancement — at least not in Georgia’s judiciary, where loyalty to the clan seems to outweigh transparency or integrity.

EU Recommendations? What EU Recommendations?

Let’s take a moment to remind ourselves why this matters. According to the European Commission, one of the critical preconditions for launching EU accession talks with Georgia is a genuine cleansing of the judiciary. That includes integrity checks on High Council members, Supreme Court judges, court chairpersons, and anyone nominated for such key positions.

Yet here we are, watching as someone who fails even the basic asset disclosure requirement — and belongs to the most criticized judicial network in the country — is ushered into one of the judiciary’s most powerful bodies with standing ovations. It’s almost as if the Georgian authorities want to demonstrate how little they care about the EU’s recommendations.

Outside the Conference Hall: Protesters, Families, and Accusations of Injustice

While Mikaberidze and his colleagues were comfortably voting inside, the scene outside the Judges’ Conference was far less elegant. Families of political prisoners and civil society supporters gathered in protest, shouting “Slaves!” toward the judge-packed conference hall.

These are the people who face the daily consequences of a judiciary seen as politically controlled and hostile to dissent. Yet inside, figures like Dimitri Gvritishvili, another member of the Council, were busy defending judges — not from internal corruption probes, but from the sanctions imposed by the EU and the US.

In a passionate speech, Gvritishvili claimed that it “crosses every line” to sanction not only judges but also their family members. He denounced the sanctions as “unfair” and “absolutely unfounded,” arguing that no judge should be accused of corruption without rock-solid evidence. Apparently, he forgot to mention that failing to disclose property is, by law, a pretty solid problem in itself.

Georgia’s Judiciary: Reform-Resistant and Proud of It

What we are witnessing here is not just an embarrassing episode but a structural failure. Georgia’s judicial system has been under international scrutiny for years, and yet it continues to operate in a closed, self-protective loop. Judges elect other judges; political loyalty is rewarded; legal violations are ignored; and reform demands from Brussels are met with polite nods — and then quickly shelved.

It’s worth noting that EU membership negotiations are not merely about signing documents or shaking hands in front of cameras. They require deep, painful, systemic reforms. The judiciary is perhaps the most crucial institution because it guarantees the rule of law, the protection of human rights, and the accountability of power. A judiciary packed with undeclared assets and clan networks sends a loud, clear message: Georgia is not ready.

Final Thoughts: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

The election of Levan Mikaberidze to the High Council of Justice is not just a routine personnel change. It’s a signal. A signal that the Georgian judiciary, despite all international warnings, continues to resist real reform. A signal that those in power are determined to maintain their control, even at the cost of Georgia’s European future.

And the Georgian government? It will likely continue to parade its “European aspirations” in speeches and press releases while doing the exact opposite when it comes to substance. As the EU watches closely, the question remains: How long will Brussels tolerate this charade?

Bravo, Georgia. Bravo.