(136th meeting of the bureau)

1) The government initiative is covering changes in the law On Combating Organised Crime and Racketeering, Criminal Code of Georgia and accompanying laws. The initiative which was registered at the bureau includes the following changes:

• The sentence for being a member of the so called "criminal/thieves world" will be extended from 5-8 years to 7-10 years;

• The sentence for being a so called “thief in law” will be extended from 7-10 years to 9-15 years;

• Participating or organising the so called “thief gatherings” will become punishable up to 7-10 years of sentence;

• Supporting the activities of the so called “criminal/thieves world” will become punishable up to 4-7 years of sentence.

See the draft law at: https://info.parliament.ge/#law-drafting/15208

2) The government initiative on changes in the Administrative Offences Code of Georgia which was registered at the bureau includes the following:

• The fine for the disorderly conduct rises from 100 GEL to 500-1000 GEL;

• The fine for the disobedience against the orders or requests (or any other outlaw activities) of the members of law-enforcing, military, Special State Protection Service of Georgia, the police of The National Bureau of Enforcement and penal administration (or the leveled person to the servant) will start from 1000 GEL and can go up to 4000 GEL. The current fine from 250-2000 GEL.

See the draft law at: https://info.parliament.ge/#law-drafting/15197

3) The government initiative on changes in the Local Self-Government Code was registered at the bureau. The initiative includes the following:

• The government of Tbilisi provides the licenses for the usage of automobiles for taxi services;

• Infringement of licensing conditions or usage the automoviles as taxis without the license will be fined for 200 GEL;

• In addition, the 100 GEL fine will be introduced for the drives of the public buses and minibuses for breaking the rules of stopping in particular streets.

See the draft law at: https://info.parliament.ge/#law-drafting/15192

4) The government initiative on changes in the Criminal Procedure Code of Georgia which was registered at the bureau includes the introduction of the service of the coordinator for the witness and the damaged, in particular:

• The coordinator of the witness and the damages is a person who supports the witness/damages during the judicial process. S/he can be involved in the case by the decision of the prosecutor.

• The reason of getting the coordinator involved in the case is to facilitate the participation of the witness/damaged in the judicial process; deduction of the stress caused by the crime; avoid the repeated or the secondary victimization; getting informed during the investigation or at the hearing stage.

See the draft law at: https://info.parliament.ge/#law-drafting/15198