Georgia, Tbilisi, May 19 / Trend N.Kirtzkhalia /
The Tbilisi Appeals Court may consider a joint claim from the Georgian Young Lawyers Association and the Resonance newspaper against the Georgian Energy Ministry May 19.
The claimants require the publishing of a memorandum of understanding on the effective use of the Inguri Hydroelectric Power Station, issued Dec. 30, 2008 between the Georgian government and the Russian RAO UES.
The court earlier suggested that the ministry reconsider its position. Thus, the defendant will submit a final position on the memorandum's disclosure at the next meeting.
Ministry representatives believe that the document was classified upon the request of Inter RAO, which is guided by commercial interests. The claimants believe that the public's interest is higher than the commercial interest of individuals during crucial decisions in the energy sector and the classification of such information is a violation of the laws and the constitution. However, the plaintiffs also argue that the disclosure of the document is necessary, so that society knows what the deal was signed with the occupation government after the August war.
The Tbilisi City Court did not grant the plaintiff's claim Nov. 9. If the Georgian courts do not grant the claim, the plaintiffs intend to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.