Rati Ionatamishvili, Chairman of the Human Rights Protection and Civil Integration Committee of the Georgian Parliament, on Thursday announced the launch of a “comprehensive amnesty bill” by the ruling party ahead of the October’s general elections.
He claimed the initiative aimed to reform Georgia’s criminal justice system, emphasising a “balanced approach between humanistic principles and public safety concerns”.
The Amnesty Project will apply to crimes committed before July 1, 2024, particularly focusing on offences outlined in Article 66 of the Criminal Code of Georgia. Additionally, approximately 225 other articles are slated for a reduction by 1/6 under the proposed legislation.
Ionatamishvili highlighted that the amnesty introduced specific provisions for probationers, including a one-year reduction in conditional sentences affecting about 7,000 individuals. The draft law is scheduled for its first reading during an extraordinary session of Parliament.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze previously indicated the government’s intention to “align Georgia’s incarceration rates with European standards” during discussions on the annual parliamentary report earlier this year.
“The Amnesty Project reflects our commitment to harmonising humanistic values with the imperatives of public safety,” said Ionatamishvili, underscoring the initiative’s goals to minimise recidivism risks, protect victim interests, adhere to international legal standards, and align with domestic criminal justice priorities. The project also aims to facilitate rehabilitation and social reintegration.
Exclusions from the amnesty will encompass individuals convicted of severe crimes such as murder, drug trafficking, sexual offences, robbery, terrorism, corruption, and organised crime.
Ionatamishvili assured transparency in the legislative process, inviting feedback during committee hearings in the upcoming fall session to refine the draft law further. He expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Prosecutor’s Office, the Ministry of Justice, and other state agencies for their collaboration in developing the “inclusive and balanced” amnesty proposal.
