Day: October 17, 2023
The Special Investigative Service, which was granted expanded powers on March 1, 2022, said that since its establishment, the Service has implicated 139 people and initiated criminal proceedings against them.
Out of the 139 exposed individuals, 62 were law enforcement officers who have faced criminal charges for their alleged involvement in ill-treatment and violence. 65 persons were exposed for crimes against privacy and human rights and freedoms, and 12 persons for crimes against journalists.
In addition to cases of violence, torture and ill-treatment committed by public officials, the Service also investigates crimes related to violation of citizens’ privacy , illegal interference in the professional activities of journalists and violations of human rights and freedoms.
The precursor of the agency – the State Inspector Service was established in 2019 as part of the Association Agreement between Georgia and the European Union. However, on March 1, 2022, despite criticism from the opposition, civil society, international partners, and the Public Defender, the Georgian Dream party abolished the State Inspector Service and replaced it with the Special Investigative Service.
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On October 16, Georgia’s Prime Minister, Irakli Garibashvili met with the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Georgia, Robin L. Dunnigan. According to a press release from the Government’s Administration, Prime Minister Garibashvili extended his congratulations to the US diplomat on the commencement of her mission in the country, wishing her success in her endeavors.
The meeting primarily focused on the strategic cooperation between Georgia and the US. The sides exchanged ideas regarding current affairs. Both sides expressed their readiness to strengthen and expand the multi-dimensional strategic partnership between the two nations.
The discussions also addressed current global events and security challenges. While discussing regional security issues, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili emphasized Georgia’s continued commitment to “promoting regional peace and stability”.
Additionally, Prime Minister Garibashvili discussed the significance of obtaining the status of an EU candidate country with Ambassador Robin L. Dunnigan. He briefed the Ambassador on the reforms that Georgia has implemented and adjustments made to align with EU recommendations, expressing hope that these efforts would be “duly recognized”.
Prime Minister Garibashvili expressed his gratitude to the newly-appointed US Ambassador for the unwavering support of the US in upholding the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia.
After the meeting, Ambassador Dunnigan emphasized the strong partnership between the United States and Georgia over the past 31 years. She commented: “I told the Prime Minister that President Biden, Secretary Blinken and we all look forward to further deepening our partnership and friendship.” Amb. Dunnigan highlighted U.S. assistance for Georgia in various sectors, including education, healthcare, and infrastructure, and recalled Georgian soldiers’ support for U.S. troops in international missions.
Additionally, Ambassador Dunnigan conveyed her commitment to supporting Georgia’s integration into Western institutions, such as the European Union and NATO. She also expressed her desire to enhance people-to-people connections and strengthen the economic relationship between the two nations, emphasizing her enthusiasm for further engagement with Georgia and its people.
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The Constitutional Court concluded that President Salome Zurabishvili violated the Constitution of Georgia by conducting foreign visits to European capitals without the government’s approval. The court’s conclusion will be submitted to the parliament, paving the way for an impeachment vote. According to the Chairman of the Constitutional Court, Merab Turava, the decision was supported by six out of nine judges, with three dissenting opinions.
Chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, Irakli Kobakhidze, claimed that President Zurabishvili has repeatedly, intentionally, and blatantly violated the constitution, citing the court’s ruling and calling on her to resign. “Salome Zurabishvili has betrayed the Constitution of Georgia and the oath she took on the Constitution of Georgia,” said Irakli Kobakhidze at a press briefing, shaming and blaming her for staying in office. Other Georgian Dream MPs keep repeating Kobakhidze’s arguments, publicly requesting the President’s resignation.
Later in the evening, President Salome Zurabishvili made a public address, describing the decision of the Constitutional Court as “damaging” for the country’s democracy but expected. In her speech, Zurabishvili said that the Constitutional Court should be ashamed of this decision, as should each judge who signed it. She also claimed that the President is the only remaining independent institution in the country, pledging not to resign and to continue fighting for the country’s European future.
The ruling Georgian Dream party delegation skipped the landmark PACE sessions, which adopted important resolutions on Ukraine and Russia. One PACE resolution recognized Holodomor as an act of genocide against the Ukrainian people, while another PACE resolution focused on declaring Russia a dictatorship and Putin’s rule illegitimate. Apparently, only one, a representative of the tiny opposition party “Citizens” Ketevan Turazashvili from the five-member Georgian delegation to PACE, attended the voting and supported the resolutions.
Iran’s Ambassador to Georgia, Mahmoud Adib, denounced the Israeli Ambassador’s speech in the Parliament regarding the recent Hamas attack on Israel, calling on the Georgian authorities to side with Palestine and requesting an equal opportunity to speak before the Parliament’s Foreign Relations Committee. On 12 October, Israeli Ambassador to Georgia, Hadas Meitzad, addressed the Foreign Relations Committee, speaking of recent tragic events in Israel and highlighting Iran’s supportive role in Hamas terrorist attack, claiming the lives of 1300 people.
Recently, the country was shocked by the murder of 14-year-old girl Aitaj Shakhmarova, who was kidnapped into a forced marriage and brutally murdered by a captor for an attempted escape. The man accused of murder was arrested and sentenced to two months’ pre-trial detention. The mother and uncle of the 14-year-old victim, as well as relatives of the person accused of murder, are also arrested for forcing the minor into marriage and failing to report the crime. The prosecutor’s Office pledged to apply the strictest criminal policy in such cases and punish all the perpetrators of this terrible crime to the fullest extent of the law.
The Special Investigative Service, which was granted expanded powers on March 1, 2022, said that since its establishment, the Service has implicated 139 people and initiated criminal proceedings against them.
Out of the 139 exposed individuals, 62 were law enforcement officers who have faced criminal charges for their alleged involvement in ill-treatment and violence. 65 persons were exposed for crimes against privacy and human rights and freedoms, and 12 persons for crimes against journalists.
In addition to cases of violence, torture and ill-treatment committed by public officials, the Service also investigates crimes related to violation of citizens’ privacy , illegal interference in the professional activities of journalists and violations of human rights and freedoms.
The precursor of the agency – the State Inspector Service was established in 2019 as part of the Association Agreement between Georgia and the European Union. However, on March 1, 2022, despite criticism from the opposition, civil society, international partners, and the Public Defender, the Georgian Dream party abolished the State Inspector Service and replaced it with the Special Investigative Service.
Also Read:
On October 16, Georgia’s Prime Minister, Irakli Garibashvili met with the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Georgia, Robin L. Dunnigan. According to a press release from the Government’s Administration, Prime Minister Garibashvili extended his congratulations to the US diplomat on the commencement of her mission in the country, wishing her success in her endeavors.
The meeting primarily focused on the strategic cooperation between Georgia and the US. The sides exchanged ideas regarding current affairs. Both sides expressed their readiness to strengthen and expand the multi-dimensional strategic partnership between the two nations.
The discussions also addressed current global events and security challenges. While discussing regional security issues, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili emphasized Georgia’s continued commitment to “promoting regional peace and stability”.
Additionally, Prime Minister Garibashvili discussed the significance of obtaining the status of an EU candidate country with Ambassador Robin L. Dunnigan. He briefed the Ambassador on the reforms that Georgia has implemented and adjustments made to align with EU recommendations, expressing hope that these efforts would be “duly recognized”.
Prime Minister Garibashvili expressed his gratitude to the newly-appointed US Ambassador for the unwavering support of the US in upholding the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia.
After the meeting, Ambassador Dunnigan emphasized the strong partnership between the United States and Georgia over the past 31 years. She commented: “I told the Prime Minister that President Biden, Secretary Blinken and we all look forward to further deepening our partnership and friendship.” Amb. Dunnigan highlighted U.S. assistance for Georgia in various sectors, including education, healthcare, and infrastructure, and recalled Georgian soldiers’ support for U.S. troops in international missions.
Additionally, Ambassador Dunnigan conveyed her commitment to supporting Georgia’s integration into Western institutions, such as the European Union and NATO. She also expressed her desire to enhance people-to-people connections and strengthen the economic relationship between the two nations, emphasizing her enthusiasm for further engagement with Georgia and its people.
Also Read:
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The Daily Beat: 16 October
The Constitutional Court concluded that President Salome Zurabishvili violated the Constitution of Georgia by conducting foreign visits to European capitals without the government’s approval. The court’s conclusion will be submitted to the parliament, paving the way for an impeachment vote. According to the Chairman of the Constitutional Court, Merab Turava, the decision was supported by six out of nine judges, with three dissenting opinions.
Chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, Irakli Kobakhidze, claimed that President Zurabishvili has repeatedly, intentionally, and blatantly violated the constitution, citing the court’s ruling and calling on her to resign. “Salome Zurabishvili has betrayed the Constitution of Georgia and the oath she took on the Constitution of Georgia,” said Irakli Kobakhidze at a press briefing, shaming and blaming her for staying in office. Other Georgian Dream MPs keep repeating Kobakhidze’s arguments, publicly requesting the President’s resignation.
Later in the evening, President Salome Zurabishvili made a public address, describing the decision of the Constitutional Court as “damaging” for the country’s democracy but expected. In her speech, Zurabishvili said that the Constitutional Court should be ashamed of this decision, as should each judge who signed it. She also claimed that the President is the only remaining independent institution in the country, pledging not to resign and to continue fighting for the country’s European future.
The ruling Georgian Dream party delegation skipped the landmark PACE sessions, which adopted important resolutions on Ukraine and Russia. One PACE resolution recognized Holodomor as an act of genocide against the Ukrainian people, while another PACE resolution focused on declaring Russia a dictatorship and Putin’s rule illegitimate. Apparently, only one, a representative of the tiny opposition party “Citizens” Ketevan Turazashvili from the five-member Georgian delegation to PACE, attended the voting and supported the resolutions.
Iran’s Ambassador to Georgia, Mahmoud Adib, denounced the Israeli Ambassador’s speech in the Parliament regarding the recent Hamas attack on Israel, calling on the Georgian authorities to side with Palestine and requesting an equal opportunity to speak before the Parliament’s Foreign Relations Committee. On 12 October, Israeli Ambassador to Georgia, Hadas Meitzad, addressed the Foreign Relations Committee, speaking of recent tragic events in Israel and highlighting Iran’s supportive role in Hamas terrorist attack, claiming the lives of 1300 people.
Recently, the country was shocked by the murder of 14-year-old girl Aitaj Shakhmarova, who was kidnapped into a forced marriage and brutally murdered by a captor for an attempted escape. The man accused of murder was arrested and sentenced to two months’ pre-trial detention. The mother and uncle of the 14-year-old victim, as well as relatives of the person accused of murder, are also arrested for forcing the minor into marriage and failing to report the crime. The prosecutor’s Office pledged to apply the strictest criminal policy in such cases and punish all the perpetrators of this terrible crime to the fullest extent of the law.
The office of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Khankendi has never been tied to Armenia, noted the Head of the Public Relations Department of the Baku Office of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Ilaha Huseynova, according to Azerbaijan in Focus, reporting Trend.
Huseynova revealed that the office continues to function today.
“The office in Khankendi has never been and will never be subordinate to Armenia. The annual reports of the ICRC always indicated Karabakh as the territory of Azerbaijan,” she added.
The ICRC is holding an information session for journalists.
The post ICRC office in Azerbaijan’s Khankendi never been tied to Armenia appeared first on Azerbaijan In Focus.