Parliament approves law change to better protect citizens’ private lives
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Today Parliament of Georgia approved amendments to the surveillance law that outlined tough punishments for those who taped, possessed or spread videos showing a person’s private life.
The amendments were approved at its first reading.
The amendments were supported by 87 lawmakers out of the 150-seat legislative body.
The changes stated if found guilty of the above-mentioned violations, they would face a prison sentence of four to seven years. If repeated, the sentence will increase to six-nine years behind bars.
If this type of crime is committed by a state official who is obliged to keep such information secret, the punishment will be tougher and this person will face seven to 10 years in prison.
The amendments were initiated by Parliament’s Human Rights Committee and will require to be heard in Parliament for another two readings before the changes can come into effect.
United States (US) Ambassador to Georgia Ian Kelly says the current Georgian Government is "very concerned” about the leak of surveillance videos illegally taped by the previous authorities and have asked the US to help resolve the problem.
Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili says any word that discredits the country's state security services weakens Georgia. He also stressed "certain progress” had been made regarding the investigation about the leak of surveillance videos.
Forty five disks and two Winchester drives with secret video recordings of the private lives of Georgian citizens have been destroyed at the Interior Ministry today.
Parliament of Georgia adopted a comprehensive legislative package to prevent hidden surveillance with 97 votes in favour and zero against at its first hearing at a special sitting in Parliament today.