In The Hague and Strasbourg, Georgia faced virtually hopeless cases because the United National Movement [UNM] handled the litigation against national interests. Foreign-funded organisations, including Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association [GYLA], were actively involved, legally fighting on Russia’s side against Georgia. Such a statement made today Speaker of the Georgian Parliament.

“The strategy we have pursued across international legal platforms is singular: we effectively turned around cases that were practically lost due to [Mikheil] Saakashvili’s dictatorial regime.

Through their failure to produce evidence and their gross mismanagement of proceedings, including an instance when an international court refused to hear a case due to flawed filings, they cost the state its standing. They robbed future administrations of the opportunity to refile, as Georgia cannot resubmit an application once rejected to assert state claims against Russia. The UNM regime deprived this country of the chance to establish our truth in court at the time.

The UNM’s actions against Georgia left the cases in The Hague and Strasbourg virtually hopeless. Foreign-funded entities were deeply complicit; GYLA, for instance, fought legally on Russia’s side against Georgia, effectively preparing legal arguments for Russia before the Strasbourg court.

The Georgian Dream government completely turned this situation around, securing victories across every court. Now, despite Russia’s refusal to fulfil its legal obligations, it is vital that we regularly remind Moscow of its duties under international law and ensure the world does not forget that court judgments must be executed - and sooner or later, these decisions will be enforced”, - said Shalva Papuashvili.