Rezo Vashakidze, founder of "Chirina," is hopeful that the Supreme Court of Georgia will annul the appellate court's ruling in the ongoing legal battle with "Kvarlis Baga." The dispute revolves around a claim that chicken by-products purchased from "Chirina" contained antibiotics, causing livestock deaths and spoilage of milk. "Chirina" denies this, stating the products were sold as fertilizer, not livestock feed. If the Supreme Court doesn’t rule in their favor, Vashakidze intends to continue the case at the European Court of Human Rights.
The Tbilisi City Court initially ordered "Chirina" to pay 4.7 million GEL, but this was partially reduced to 1.6 million GEL by the appellate court. "Chirina" then appealed the decision to the Supreme Court, which held its final session on March 19. While the decision is expected soon, Vashakidze notes there could be delays or a return to the first instance for further review.
Vashakidze asserts that "Chirina" met all contractual obligations with "Kvarlis Baga" and did not breach any terms. He criticized the court’s reliance on an unaccredited laboratory's findings, calling the decisions “absurd” and suggesting that the case was handled in a biased manner. He believes the legal process was unjust and says that if the court upholds the decision, they will seek compensation from the government.
Beyond the case, Vashakidze stresses that Georgia needs a fair and independent judiciary to attract both local and foreign investors. He highlighted the importance of legal transparency and openness, noting that neighboring Armenia is benefiting from a more business-friendly environment. He believes that addressing injustice in the legal system is key to fostering investment and economic growth in Georgia.
