Archil Talakvadze, one of the leaders of Georgia's ruling party, called "categorically unacceptable" the US decision to impose sanctions on four high-ranking Georgian judges.

The US State Department previously announced visa sanctions against four high-ranking Georgian judges due to their involvement in serious corruption. A special statement in this regard was made by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.

The U.S. Department of State is publicly designating Mikheil Chinchaladze, Levan Murusidze, Irakli Shengelia, and Valerian Tsertsvadze under Section 7031(c) visa restriction authorities, due to their involvement in significant corruption. These individuals abused their positions as court Chairmen and members of Georgia’s High Council of Justice, undermining the rule of law and the public’s faith in Georgia’s judicial system.

“It is a pity that our friendship, strategic relations, have reached the point where we are talking to each other in the language of sanctions, I mean Georgia and the United States of America,” Talavadze said in an interview with Rustavi 2.

According to him, it is unfair to use such a tool.

“I would say that it is categorically unacceptable to punish judges when there are such high strategic relations and partnerships between our countries,” Talakvadze added.