Residents of Orpiri will soon gain access to approximately 500 state and private sector services in a comfortable, modern environment, as the construction of a new Public Service Hall is set to begin in the village. Currently, the community is served by a Mobile Public Service Hall.

Deputy Minister of Justice Erekle Gvinianidze, along with Deputy State Commissioner of the Imereti Region Levan Kiknavelidze, visited the allocated construction site, accompanied by local residents.

Expanding access to state services is a top priority for the Ministry of Justice. Since 2012, the number of Public Service Halls has increased from 12 to 121, with 24 of these located in the Imereti region. The Mobile Public Service Hall initiative was also introduced, offering services to residents of 90 remote villages, including 15 in Imereti.

In addition to the planned Orpiri branch, new Public Service Halls in Terjola and Shrosha are expected to open in the coming days. By 2028, the number of branches nationwide is projected to rise to 133.

Chairperson of the Public Service Hall, Lasha Lobjanidze and Mayor of Tkibuli Municipality, Davit Cherkezishvili were also present at the Orpiri construction site.

The Interagency Task Force for Free and Fair Elections (IATF) convened to review reports from representatives of the Central Election Commission (CEC) regarding the registration process of election candidates and the establishment of polling stations in other countries.

During the session, relevant agencies also provided updates on their responses to issues identified through media monitoring. The commission sought further clarification about a statement made by Salome Zurabishvili, which proposed the creation of a coordination platform within the Presidential Administration on Election Day, October 26. However, since the President's representative was not present at the meeting, the commission plans to invite him to the next session for additional discussion.

The session was chaired by the Minister of Justice, Rati Bregadze, and attended by Deputy Minister Beka Dzamashvili, along with heads of various public agencies, IATF members, representatives of international and local monitoring organizations, and political parties

The IATF, established under the Election Code, aims to prevent violations of election legislation by public officials and respond to any infractions. It is led by Minister Rati Bregadze.

For inquiries regarding the commission’s activities, the IATF can be contacted via email at iatf@justice.gov.ge or through the hotline: (+995) 599 85 00 11.

Minister of Justice, Rati Bregadze joined local residents today to lay a symbolic capsule at the site where a new Public Service Hall will soon rise in Chala Village.

This new branch will provide residents with access to nearly 500 different public services, all within a modern and comfortable setting.

Expanding access to state services is a key priority for the Ministry of Justice. Currently, 121 Public Service Halls operate throughout Georgia, and plans are in place to open 12 more branches, including in Terjola, Akhmeta, Sagarejo, Khelvachauri, Tbilisi (Gldani), Mtskheta, Chala, Zoti, Toli, Shrosha, Tsaishi, and Orpiri. In addition, Mobile Public Service Halls are serving citizens in 90 villages, ensuring that even those in remote areas have access to essential services.

In the Imereti region alone, 24 Public Service Halls are operational. The branches in Terjola and Shrosha have been completed and are set to open in the coming days, while mobile units currently provide services to residents in 15 villages.

Joining Minister Bregadze at the Chala construction site were Deputy Minister of Justice Erekle Gvinianidze, MP Paata Kvizhinadze (representing Kharagauli, Sachkhere, and Chiatura), Deputy State Commissioner of Imereti Levan Kiknavelidze, and Chairperson of the Public Service Hall Lasha Lobjanidze.

As part of ongoing efforts to promote a healthy lifestyle, a new stadium and training facility, built to modern standards, have been established at Penitentiary Institution No. 17. The Minister of Justice, Rati Bregadze, visited the site alongside Head of the Special Penitentiary Service, Nika Tsvarashvili to review the completed work.

The newly constructed stadium, featuring an artificial surface, is designed for football and basketball. Improvements to the surrounding area were also made to enhance the overall environment.

In addition to the sports field, a new training area equipped with modern exercise machines has been built within the facility. This space provides inmates with opportunities to use their free time more productively by engaging in physical activity.

Promoting a healthy lifestyle within penitentiary institutions is a priority for the Ministry of Justice. Since 2022, a sports management strategy has been in place, offering inmates the chance to participate in various sports festivals. Additionally, a range of sports programs and training courses are available, allowing inmates to pursue certifications as professional trainers or fitness instructors. Efforts to modernize and expand sports infrastructure within these institutions are ongoing.

Female convicts at Penitentiary No. 5 have unveiled their own clothing designs and handmade accessories in a public presentation alongside professional models. This initiative was made possible through the Fashion Design Program, offered free of charge by Bidisi Academy and the Leader Women's Society. The event, supported by these organizations and the Ministry of Justice, highlighted the creativity and skills of the inmates.

First Deputy Minister of Justice, Tamar Tkeshelashvili, along with senior officials from the Penitentiary Service, attended the presentation. Tkeshelashvili emphasized the significance of offering educational and vocational programs to inmates, noting that such initiatives help prisoners spend their time constructively and foster self-realization. She also highlighted that these programs promote re-socialization, increase employment opportunities, enhance income potential, and reduce the risk of repeat offenses after release.

Earlier this year, in June, some of the women inmates had the chance to showcase their work at Venice International Fashion Week, where they presented designs featuring unique accessories made from materials such as leather and felt. At today’s event, the convicts unveiled a new collection to the public.

The presentation also featured an exhibition and sale of products from the Re-Market store, showcasing items made by prisoners from various penitentiary institutions. Attendees had the opportunity to purchase clothing and accessories, with proceeds directly benefiting the inmates.

The event ended on a particularly emotional note, as it was announced that one of the participating convicts had been released from prison under the amnesty law.

After 12 years of negotiations, the Hague Convention of October 25, 1980, on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction officially took effect between Georgia and the United States on October 1, 2024.

This convention enables the citizens of both nations to resolve cases of international child abduction through legal channels. Under the agreement, Georgia’s Ministry of Justice is designated as the central authority, while the U.S. State Department's Office of Children's Issues fulfills the same role for the United States.

During the visit, both parties shared their experiences in implementing the convention and discussed plans for future collaboration.

The U.S. delegation also visited the Tbilisi Public Service Hall, where they learned about Georgia's model for delivering state services, including birth registration, travel document preparation, property registration, and other services.

On the Georgian side, representatives from the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Internal Affairs, State Services Development Agency, State Care and Assistance Agency for Victims of Trafficking, Legal Aid Service, the Association of Mediators, and members of the judiciary participated in the meetings held from October 2-4.

Minister of Justice Rati Bregadze met with Owen Murphy, Head of the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission, to discuss ongoing efforts to ensure transparent and fair elections in Georgia.

During the meeting, Minister Bregadze highlighted the successful work of the Interagency Task Force for Free and Fair Elections (IATF), which operates under the Ministry of Justice. The IATF's mandate is to prevent and address violations of election laws by public officials. Notably, the Task Force not only responds to potential violations but also engages in proactive media monitoring to identify any signs of electoral misconduct.

Both parties expressed their commitment to continued collaboration.

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Minister of Justice Beka Dzamashvili, Head of the State Services Development Agency Ketevan Betlemidze, and Head of the Ministry’s Administration Department Manana Begiashvili.

For reference: On September 11, 2024, at the invitation of the Georgian government, the OSCE/ODIHR Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights deployed an election observation mission to Georgia to monitor the parliamentary elections scheduled for October 26, 2024. The mission will assess the elections' adherence to OSCE commitments, international democratic standards, and national legislation.

The IATF members reviewed the response to information gathered through media monitoring.

The session was chaired by Minister of Justice Rati Bregadze and attended by Deputy Minister Beka Dzamashvili, along with heads of public agencies that are part of the commission. Representatives from international and local monitoring organizations, as well as political parties, also participated.

The Interagency Task Force for Free and Fair Elections (IATF), established under the Election Code, aims to prevent violations of election legislation by civil servants and address any breaches. The IATF is led by Minister of Justice Rati Bregadze.

For inquiries regarding the commission’s activities, the IATF can be contacted via email at iatf@justice.gov.ge or through the hotline: (+995) 599 85 00 11.

As part of ongoing efforts to enhance the rights and services available to convicts and staff, Minister of Justice Rati Bregadze inaugurated new facilities at Penitentiary No. 10 in Ksani.

The newly built infrastructure includes a Public Service Hall, dedicated meeting rooms for lawyers, spaces for both long- and short-term visits, and a video conferencing area.

This upgrade ensures that both inmates and staff can fully access state and private sector services within the institution. The Ksani facility is the sixth penitentiary to feature a Public Service Hall, a project that is unparalleled worldwide.

Convicts at Penitentiary No. 10 will now benefit from improved, comfortable meeting spaces, equipped with the necessary amenities for both long and short visits. The infrastructure aligns with the 2024 Penal Code, which permits inmates to use these meeting spaces free of charge.

Additionally, a new, state-of-the-art storage facility has been installed to better control the introduction of prohibited items. Access to the institution is now further secured with the installation of a modern scanner and a designated room for the physical inspection of visitors.

The inauguration was attended by Deputy Minister of Justice Erekle Gvinianidze, Head of the Special Penitentiary Service Nika Tshvarashvili, and Chairperson of the Public Service Hall Lasha Lobjanidze.