On October 26, Levan Murusidze and Dimitri Gvritishvili, two newly elected judge members of the High Council of Justice (HCoJ), responded to criticism of their reappointment to the Council from civil society organizations by stating that they are shifting from the defense to the offensive. 

Murusidze alleged that civil society groups are irresponsible, rude, and insult judges in a variety of ways. "Non-governmental groups attacked us over the Rustavi 2 issue, but it was later proved that the case was handled according to the law. Has anyone expressed regret? He posed a rhetorical query," he added. Murusidze claimed, "They have complaints against me, Gvritishvili, and the Court as a whole because they want the legal system not to be independent, to be controlled, to be filled with staff that they can control themselves." Murusidze said that if they are genuinely interested in preserving the independence of the judiciary, he is willing to work with them. He stated, "However, if you are not ready and there will be cursing, swearing, and bullying of judges again, of course, we will not only protect ourselves, but we will call out everything by its name." Murusidze disagreed as well with the opinion of the civil society organizations that his and Gvritishvili's return to the HCoJ impeded Georgia's efforts to join the EU. Murusidze remarked, "I think this topic is so ridiculous that it is impossible to even comment on it." 

Gvritishvili added that the judiciary would go on the attack and that evidence would be provided to expose all those entities which periodically and deliberately try to neutralize the High Council of Justice and cause division in the judicial corps by establishing an unhealthy dialogue with individual judges. He also described civil society groups as a group of fully politicized subjects built on clannish values.