Tbilisi: The Georgian prosecutor General (the highest law officer) resigned on May 23. He cited health complications as the main reason behind his decision.
The Prosecutor General further said that after his doctor’s medical advice, he had no option except to leave the post. Prosecutor General Irakli Shotadze stated that “the treatment of multiple health complications may take several months and even I have to leave the country for some time with regard to treatment so it would be difficult to discharge my responsibilities.”
The Georgian prosecution service took to its official Facebook page to share this information. According to the Facebook post “he has already informed the parliament about his resignation.” The post also added that “almost five years have passed since I joined this office. I feel very proud to serve the nation as pubic servant since 2005.”
It is worth to note that Irakli Shotadze served in the investigation department of the finance ministry. He worked here prior to his appointment as the first deputy chief prosecutor from 2013 to 2015. He remained the chief prosecutor of Georgia between 2015 to 2018.
He did commendable work during his tenure at various positions in the Prosecutor General’s office before assuming charge of office of Prosecution services. It is to be added that he resigned in the year 2018 following a controversy that erupted after the Khorava Street incident in which two people were stabbed to death.
As per the legal provisions of Georgian law, the term of the prosecution general is fixed for six years. However, he can be terminated prematurely in some exceptional cases. If such urgency emerges due to premature termination of services, the prosecutorial council immediately starts a One-Month consultation. The discussion also involves members of the academic field, civil society, and legal experts.
After due consultation the chosen candidate is nominated to parliament which has the ultimate power to elect a new prosecutor general.
