Minister of Justice, Rati Bregadze met today with Head of the Training Department of the Austrian Penitentiary Service, Oberst Martin Hoffmann, within the framework of his official visit to Austria. At the meeting, the Minister noted that providing a strong, safe and human rights-based environment is a priority for the agency. According to him, within the framework of the reform of the penitentiary and probation systems, corrections are made considering the best international practice. In this regard, the sharing of European experience is of particular importance.

Rati Bregadze also discussed training modules with Oberst Martin Hoffman. The Minister of Justice expressed interest in the Austrian experience of educational trainings in the direction of training of social workers, psychologists, and medical personnel. The Minister of Justice stated at the meeting that the agency invests significant resources in improving the professional skills of its employees, which are being implemented with the Training Center of Justice.

At the end of the meeting, the Minister of Justice expressed his hope that cooperation between Georgia and Austria will become even more intensive, which acquires special importance in the light of the country's European aspirations and perspective.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy Ministers of Justice, Buba Lomuashvili and Tornike Cheishvili, Head of the Special Penitentiary Service, Nika Tshvarashvili and Ambassador of Georgia to the Republic of Austria, Ketevan Tsikhelashvili.

This document ensures the strengthening of mutual cooperation between Georgia and Austria in the field of justice, rule of law and protection of human rights.

The deepening of partnership relations between the two countries includes the sharing of experience in the areas of mobile and electronic state services, rehabilitation and re-socialization of convicts, management of sports, educational and employment programs in the penitentiary institutions.

The memorandum also envisions cooperation in the field of convergence with EU legislation, mutual legal assistance in civil, commercial and criminal cases.

Before signing the memorandum, Rati Bregadze spoke with his Austrian colleague, Alma Zadich about organization of the Georgian-Austrian legal forum, which will be hosted alternately by Georgia and Austria every year. The conversation touched on the encouragement of student exchange programs, which in the future will contribute to the law-making process based on evidence and research-analysis.

Rati Bregadze informed his Austrian counterpart about the priorities of the Ministry, which are reflected in the 10-year development strategy of the agency. The deepening of cooperation in the direction of convergence with the European Union legislation, effective law-making process, strengthening of international relations is gaining even more importance on the path of Georgia's European integration.

During the meeting with his Austrian colleague, Rati Bregedze noted that a special electronic program will be launched in the near future, which will ensure a quick and high-quality implementation of the process of harmonization with the European Union legislation.

Another area of strengthening partnership relations will be bilateral legal relations.

The meeting was attended by members of the delegation of the Ministry of Justice of Georgia and the Ambassador of Georgia to Austria.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Ministers of Justice, Buba Lomuashvili and Tornike Cheishvili, Head of the Special Penitentiary Service, Nika Tshvarashvili and Ambassador of Georgia to the Republic of Austria, Ketevan Tsikhelashvili.

Within the framework of the current official visit to Austria, Minister of Justice, Rati Bregadze held the first meeting with the General Director of the Penitentiary Service of the Republic of Austria, Friedrich Alexander König.

The parties shared their experience and existing knowledge in the area of penitentiary services.

At the meeting, the Minister spoke about the achievements in the penitentiary and probation systems of Georgia. He informed the Austrian side about the innovative educational project - Digital University, which increases access to education for convicts.

The Ministry of Justice of Georgia plans to further deepen cooperation with the Republic of Austria in the direction of managing the penitentiary and probation system, which will allow the country to develop rehabilitation and re-socialization programs, activities outside the cell; Employment, educational and sports programs for prisoners.

At the meeting, Rati Bregadze noted that the alignment to the best European standards is a strategic priority of the Ministry of Justice of Georgia and it is reflected in the 10-year development plan of the Justice Ministry.

The Minister of Justice expressed his satisfaction that cooperation in the field of management of penitentiary and probation systems will be deepened and a corresponding memorandum will be signed with the Ministry of Justice of Austria. He also noted that the deepening of sectoral cooperation with European colleagues is particularly important on the path of Georgia's European integration, especially after adopting the European perspective.

At the meeting, they also talked about the construction of small penitentiary institutions. In Georgia, the first small-scale facility for up to 700 convicts will be opened in Laituri. The Minister of Justice invited Friedrich Alexander König to the opening ceremony of Laituri prison in Georgia.

Friedrich Alexander König noted that it was an honor for him to meet with the Minister of Justice of Georgia. "It was a great honor for me to meet the Minister and his delegation to talk about the penitentiary systems of Georgia and Austria and the issues that concern us all. I believe that we can learn a lot from each other, and both sides are very satisfied with this meeting," said König.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Ministers of Justice, Buba Lomuashvili and Tornike Cheishvili, Head of the Special Penitentiary Service, Nika Tshvarashvili and Ambassador of Georgia to the Republic of Austria, Ketevan Tsikhelashvili.

The Strasbourg Court did not find a violation of the applicant's right to a fair trial, the circumstances of obtaining evidence ("sodium cyanide") and their reliability. Accordingly, the ECHR did not call into question the findings of the investigative body and the courts at the national level regarding the criminal case against the applicant. It is significant that the Strasbourg Court agreed with the government's position that the evidence obtained by the investigation proved that the "implantation" of a poisonous substance, as claimed by the applicant, was excluded. In addition, the European Court noted that Giorgi Mamaladze's verdict is based on a number of other evidences in the case, such as witness statements, audio and video material, computer data and others.

As for the applicant's other requests, the Court found that the complete closure of the hearings of the case against the applicant was not strictly necessary. In particular, according to the assessment of the European Court, the domestic courts did not adequately justify why part of the hearing could not be held in public. The ECHR considered it a violation of the presumption of innocence to jointly make separate public statements against the applicant and publication of part of the case materials by the Prosecutor's Office, while the obligation of non-disclosure of information was applied to the defense.

It should be noted that the mentioned violations are of a procedural nature and do not affect the validity of the verdict, which was once again confirmed by the decision of the European Court itself today, according to which the criminal proceedings were fair as a whole, the search of the applicant was legal, and there was no case of "implantation" of cyanide.

The European Court of Human Rights upheld the verdict against Giorgi Mamaladze to be legal and dismissed the claim for moral compensation.

In the ECHR, Giorgi Mamaladze argued that the right to a fair trial was violated due to the circumstances of obtaining the evidence ("sodium cyanide"). He also appealed against the complete closure of the ongoing trial against him and claimed that the presumption of his innocence was violated based on the statements of the General Prosecutor's Office and officials.

The Strasbourg Court did not find a violation of the applicant's right to a fair trial, the circumstances of obtaining evidence ("sodium cyanide") and their reliability. Accordingly, the ECHR did not call into question the findings of the investigative body and the courts at the national level regarding the criminal case against the applicant. It is significant that the Strasbourg Court agreed with the government's position that the evidence obtained by the investigation proved that the "implantation" of a poisonous substance, as claimed by the applicant, was excluded. In addition, the European Court noted that Giorgi Mamaladze's verdict is based on a number of other evidences in the case, such as witness statements, audio and video material, computer data and others.

As for the applicant's other requests, the Court found that the complete closure of the hearings of the case against the applicant was not strictly necessary. In particular, according to the assessment of the European Court, the domestic courts did not adequately justify why part of the hearing could not be held in public. The ECHR considered it a violation of the presumption of innocence to jointly make separate public statements against the applicant and publication of part of the case materials by the Prosecutor's Office, while the obligation of non-disclosure of information was applied to the defense.

It should be noted that the mentioned violations are of a procedural nature and do not affect the validity of the verdict, which was once again confirmed by the decision of the European Court itself today, according to which the criminal proceedings were fair as a whole, the search of the applicant was legal, and there was no case of "implantation" of cyanide.

The digital educational platform for convicts in penitentiary institutions has been launched.

The project gives convicted students the opportunity to receive full-fledged higher education remotely; to be involved in the process of university studies; Attend lectures online and have direct, interactive communication with lecturers.

Until now, academic teaching in penitentiary institutions was carried out only through correspondence. Convicted students received study materials and completed written assignments, however, they were deprived of the opportunity to communicate directly with lecturers.

The digital learning platform is implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Science and includes both undergraduate and master's degrees of authorized universities in Georgia. The first stage of the project was launched at institution No. 16. Minister of Justice, Rati Bregadze and Minister of Education and Science, Mikheil Chkhenkeli got acquainted with the training process today. Ministers also visited places of vocational training and professional employment of convicts.

The Digital University makes university education even more accessible to convicts; The quality and efficiency of teaching increases, which, at the same time, will contribute to the rehabilitation and re-socialization of prisoners.

Minister of Justice, Rati Bregadze thanked Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden, Ulrik Tiddestrom for supporting Georgia's territorial integrity and Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

At the meeting held at the Ministry of Justice, Rati Bregadze spoke about specific directions for deepening cooperation between the Ministries of Justice of Georgia and Sweden.

One of the priorities of the Ministry of Justice of Georgia is the harmonization of Georgian legislation with EU law. To support the process, a special electronic program has been developed and will be launched in the near future, which will ensure a quick and high-quality implementation of the harmonization process. Rati Bregadze expressed an initiative to deepen cooperation with Sweden in this direction.

Another area of strengthening partnership will be bilateral legal relations. For this purpose, Rati Bregadze proposed to Ulrik Tideström to establish an annual Georgian-Swedish legal forum.

Georgia is ready to share Sweden's experience in the direction of penitentiary system reforms as well, which will create more opportunities for the rehabilitation and re-socialization of prisoners, support for activities outside the cell, and strengthening access to health care.

On October 24-25, 2022, a ministerial meeting of the countries participating in the Prague Process was held in the Czech Republic, within which the ministerial declaration and the action plan for its implementation for 2023-2027 were approved.

The Georgian delegation led by First Deputy Minister of Justice, Tamar Tkeshelashvili took part in the ministerial conference and spoke at the event about the reforms implemented by Georgia in the field of migration and the issues envisioned by the ministerial declaration. She also emphasized the importance of cooperation between countries in the area of migration management, which will be further strengthened after the adoption of the declaration.

The Georgian delegation also included Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Aleksandre Darakhvelidze and representatives of the Ministries of Justice and Internal Affairs of Georgia.

The declaration and the action plan were developed as a result of the joint work of the countries participating in the Prague Process (including Georgia) and the European Union.

The ministerial declaration and action plan cover such issues as: preventing and combating illegal migration; readmission, voluntary return and sustainable reintegration; legal migration, with special emphasis on labor migration; integration; mobility and development; international protection.

Within the framework of the ministerial, the declaration and the action plan were adopted by the European Union and the countries participating in the Process. By adopting the document, action priorities for the next five years in the region have been determined.

The new Public Service Hall will offer up to 470 services of various public agencies and the private sector to several thousand citizens living in the village of Supsa of Lanchkhuti Municipality and its surrounding villages.

Justice Minister, Rati Bregadze opened the Public Service Hall in Supsa today together with Deputy Minister, Erekle Gvinianidze and State Trustee to Guria Region, Giorgi Urushadze. The Minister met the employees, got acquainted with the work process and received information about the needs of customers.

Equal access to state services for citizens is one of the priority directions of the Ministry of Justice, which is currently provided by 117 Public Service Halls across the country.

Construction of branches is underway in Zestaponi, Terjola, Samtredia, Khashuri and Akhmeta; While, in Mtskheta and Sagarejo, design and pre-design preparatory works have already started.

The event was attended by local government representatives and invited guests.

At the meeting held at the Justice Ministry, the Minister spoke about the progress in the relations between the Ministries of Justice of Georgia and Israel.

Cooperation between the Ministries of Justice of the two countries was especially strengthened after the signing of the joint declaration, which was signed in September of this year by Rati Bregadze and the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Justice of Israel, Gideon Saar. The declaration is a continuation of the memorandum signed between the parties in Tel Aviv in October 2021 and provides for cooperation in such areas as: access to public services, business and land registration, notary services, electronic apostille and others.

As the Minister noted at the meeting, quick and effective realization of the issues envisaged within the framework of cooperation with the Ministry of Justice of Israel is a priority for the Ministry of Justice of Georgia. The seminar planned in December between the employees of the Ministry of Justice of Israel and Georgia represents the practical implementation of the existing cooperation between the two countries.

The Minister of Justice expressed hope that the sectoral relations between Israel and Georgia will become even more intensive with the joint efforts of the parties.

Deputy Minister of Justice, Beka Dzamashvili also attended the meeting with the Israeli Ambassador.