Deputy Ministers of Justice, Beka Dzamashvili and Niko Tatulashvili held a meeting today with the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O'Flaherty.

The discussion highlighted the strong and effective partnership between Georgia’s Ministry of Justice and the institutions of the Council of Europe. Key topics included the execution of Strasbourg Court decisions, crime prevention and probation, enforcement of sentences, combating human trafficking, and drug policy, among other areas.

Particular attention was given to the significant reduction in cases pending against Georgia at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and notable advancements in safeguarding the rights of prisoners within the Georgian penitentiary system.

The meeting, hosted at the Ministry of Justice, was attended by Head of the Special Penitentiary Service, Nika Tskharashvili, Head of the Department of International Relations and Legal Cooperation of the Ministry of Justice, Ketevan Sarajishvili, Director of the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights, Giancarlo Cardinale, and the Commissioner's Advisors Agata Neibogi and Romer Lemaître.

Concluding the meeting, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining and enhancing this fruitful collaboration.

The Ministry of Justice remains dedicated to working closely with the Council of Europe within the framework of the 2024-2027 Action Plan for Cooperation between Georgia and the Council of Europe.

Minister of Justice Anri Okhanashvili has appointed Irakli Beraia to the position of Deputy Minister.

Irakli Beraia is a professional economist and a graduate of the Faculty of Economics at Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, where he earned his degree with honors. Beraia brings extensive experience in legislative work, having served as a member of the 9th, 10th, and 11th convocations of the Parliament of Georgia.

Prior to his political career, Beraia achieved notable success in the banking sector.

Minister of Justice Anri Okhanashvili, accompanied by the Head of the Special Penitentiary Service, Nika Tskharashvili, visited Institution No. 11 for juveniles. During the visit, the Minister extended holiday greetings to the young convicts and staff, presenting them with Christmas and New Year gifts.

Addressing the group, Mr. Okhanashvili underscored the significance of re-socialization and rehabilitation for juvenile convicts. He highlighted plans to implement new programs tailored to their specific needs and expressed gratitude to the staff for their dedicated service.

The visit also included an inspection of the facility's infrastructure, including the recently renovated sports field, where juveniles engage in training and various sports activities.

The Minister of Justice, Anri Okhanashvili, has appointed Levan Kharanauli as the First Deputy Minister of Justice.

Levan Kharanauli, a Doctor of Law and Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law at Tbilisi State University, brings extensive experience in both public service and academia to his new role. He is an author of numerous scientific studies and monographs.

Anri Okhanashvili has congratulated the employees of the Ministry of Justice on the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Expressing gratitude for their dedication and professionalism throughout the year, the Minister of Justice conveyed his wishes for peace, prosperity, and success to them and their families in the year ahead.

The Minister of Justice of Georgia, Anri Okhanashvili, held a meeting today with the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Georgia, Ali Kaan Orbay.

During this introductory meeting, both parties highlighted the strong and effective coordination between the relevant agencies of their countries in the field of law. They also reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening mutual cooperation in the future.

The meeting took place at the Ministry of Justice and was attended by Deputy Ministers of Justice of Georgia, Beka Dzamashvili and Niko Tatulashvili, as well as Head of the Consular Section of the Turkish Embassy, Boran Kan Kochbogan.

The Minister of Justice of Georgia, Anri Okhanashvili, met today with the Public Defender, Levan Ioseliani, to discuss ongoing cooperation and future initiatives.

During the meeting, both officials highlighted the productive collaboration between the Ministry of Justice and the Ombudsman's Office over the years. They expressed their commitment to maintaining close coordination to address key issues effectively.

Public Defender Levan Ioseliani emphasized the significance of reforms implemented in the penitentiary system, particularly rehabilitation programs. These initiatives play a crucial role in the correction and reintegration of convicts into society, fostering their personal development and reducing recidivism.

The discussion also focused on strengthening human rights protection—a priority for the Ministry of Justice. Both parties reaffirmed their dedication to deepening cooperation in this area, aiming to enhance the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms across the country.

The meeting, held at the Ministry of Justice, was attended by Deputy Ministers of Justice Beka Dzamashvili, Niko Tatulashvili, and Erekle Ghvinianidze; Head of the Special Penitentiary Service, Nika Tskvarashvili; and Deputy Public Defenders, Tamar Gvaramadze, Elene Ghudushauri, and Irina Chikhladze.

The Ministry of Justice has finalized agreements with the winners of its 2025 grant program. A total of eight projects will receive funding to support innovative initiatives and promote civic engagement.

Deputy Ministers of Justice—Beka Dzamashvili, Erekle Ghvinianidze, and Niko Tatulashvili—along with the Ministry's Administration Head, Manana Begiashvili, met with the grant recipients to mark this significant milestone.

During the meeting, the diversity and importance of the selected projects were highlighted, reflecting the Ministry’s commitment to advancing key areas of its mission.

The grant competition aims to strengthen the Ministry's priority areas, foster civil society participation, and encourage civic initiatives. The 2025 program, announced in November 2024, focused on three primary objectives: enhancing human rights protection, introducing innovative services, and bolstering legal security.

Out of 30 applications received, the top eight were selected for funding. The list of winning projects can be accessed [here].

Since 2021, the Ministry of Justice has held annual grant competitions, funding 48 projects with a combined budget of 1,080,619 GEL. The Ministry continues to monitor and support these projects to ensure their successful implementation and impact.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has delivered its judgment in the case of Taganova and Others v. Georgia and Russia, holding Russia fully accountable for violations of property rights in the occupied territory of Abkhazia.

The case was brought forward by individuals whose claims concerned property disputes in Abkhazia, a region internationally recognized as part of Georgia but under Russian occupation.

The Court’s ruling reaffirms that Russia bears full responsibility for human rights violations in the occupied territories, citing its continued effective control over Abkhazia.

The ECHR emphasized that under international law, Abkhazia remains an integral part of Georgia. However, since the 1990s, Georgian authorities have been unable to exercise effective control over the region due to Russia's military, economic, and political interference.

Despite these challenges, the Court acknowledged that the Georgian government has taken all possible and reasonable measures to safeguard the property rights of individuals in Abkhazia.

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.