Georgia, Turkey to collaborate in responding to extradition, kidnaping cases

Georgian and Turkish Justice Ministers have agreed to create a group to timely respond to extradition, children kidnaping, prisoner handover and prisoners’ rights protection issues.

Georgian Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani and her Turkish counterpart Abdulhamit Gul also agreed to share experience in the justice field.

The meeting took place in Ankara, Turkey earlier today.

Tsulukiani stated that the idea to meet emerged during the Copenhagen Ministerial in April 2018.

After the meeting, scales for cooperation have increased as in July the Georgian parliament made a decision to merge the Justice and Correction ministries,” Tsulukiani said.

Taking everyday regional challenges into account, the creation of an operative group composed of Georgian and Turkish representatives will avoid bureaucratic burden and will ease responses to the issues which concern the rights of Georgian prisoners in Turkish jails, extradition issues, children kidnaping cases, handing over of prisoners and related issues,” Tsulukiani said.

Gul accepted the offer and stated that he was ready to further enhance Turkish and Georgian relations in the field of justice.

Tsulukiani stated that Georgia has accumulated experience regarding human rights, combating organised crime, reforming the justice system and that the government of Georgia is eager to share its experience with Turkey and other partner nations.

Tsulukiani invited her counterpart to Georgia.