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thuesday, 04 April , 2023
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Ministry of Justice of Georgia and Delegation from the Republic of Moldova Share Experience in Fighting Domestic Violence Against Women

The Ministry of Justice hosted today the delegation of the Republic of Moldova. Within the framework of the study visit, Georgian officials shared with the members of the delegation of the Republic of Moldova the experience of the work conducted for the ratification and further implementation of the Council of Europe Convention of May 11, 2011 (Istanbul Convention) under the leadership of the Ministry of Justice.

Changes in Georgian legislation, measures to raise awareness of domestic violence against women, behavior correction programs in the penitentiary and probation systems - these are the issues that the Moldovan delegation was introduced to during the study visit.

The study visit was planned within the framework of the European Council project. The Council of Europe considers that the Georgian mechanism for monitoring femicide and the Georgian model of implementing the convention at the level of national legislation are exemplary for the Republic of Moldova, which ratified the Istanbul Convention in 2022.

Georgia completed the ratification of the Istanbul Convention in 2017, after which, with the joint efforts of the executive, legislative, judicial authorities and the non-governmental sector, under the leadership of the Ministry of Justice, effective legislative and institutional tools were created to eliminate and respond to violence against women.

Sharing the experience of Georgia will help the Republic of Moldova in the prevention of violence against women and in the family, effective fight against this crime and identification of victims of violence. The study visit serves to deepen the cooperation between the two countries.

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Strasbourg Court Confirms Davit Kezerashvili’s Guilt in Embezzling Georgian Army Funds, Rejects Claims of Political Persecution

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has issued its decision in the case of Davit Kezerashvili v. Georgia. At a briefing, Justice Minister Anri Okhanashvili discussed the ruling, which upheld the verdict against Kezerashvili.

“The Court concluded that, while serving as Defense Minister shortly before the August 2008 war, Davit Kezerashvili embezzled €5,060,000 (approximately 15 million GEL at today's exchange rate) intended for the Georgian army. It also determined there was no political persecution involved in his prosecution. The Supreme Court of Georgia's verdict finding Kezerashvili guilty was deemed well-founded, and no violation of the presumption of innocence was found,” Okhanashvili stated.

Okhanashvili outlined the fraudulent activities carried out by Kezerashvili:

"During his tenure as Defense Minister, Kezerashvili unlawfully signed a fictitious agreement with an offshore company in a single day to provide combat training for the Georgian army. This agreement bypassed the General Staff of the Defense Forces. In reality, no training occurred, and the €5,060,000 allocated for the Georgian army was deliberately misappropriated."

Anri Okhanashvili emphasized that the Court also dismissed Kezerashvili’s demand for €15,000 in moral damages. Kezerashvili, who enriched himself by defrauding the Georgian army, sought additional compensation for moral damage. The Strasbourg Court firmly rejected this claim. It confirmed the seriousness of Kezerashvili’s crime and upheld the Supreme Court of Georgia's ruling as lawful.

The Justice Minister congratulated the Georgian state and armed forces on their success in the European Court and acknowledged those who defended Georgia’s interests:


“I congratulate the Georgian state, army, and people on this significant victory. I extend my gratitude to the Ministry of Justice staff and the Prosecutor’s Office for their dedicated work. We now look forward to seeing how our European partners, particularly those who previously characterized Kezerashvili as a media advocate, respond to this decision affirming his guilt,” Okhanashvili remarked.