NEWS

State Inspector's Service to be replaced by Special Investigation, Data Protection services

State Inspector's Service was launched in 2018. Photo: ipn.ge

Agenda.ge, 26 Dec 2021 - 11:42, Tbilisi,Georgia

Georgian majoritarian MPs have put forward a new bill which proposes replacing the State Inspector's Service with Special Investigation and Personal Data Protection services.

The inspector's service, launched in 2018, investigates the alleged crimes committed by state officials and law enforcement authorities and studies the legal bases for processing personal data.

Gov’t launches State Inspector’s Service to study alleged offences by law enforcers

Under the new draft, the Special Investigation Service will be authorised to investigate the offences committed by the authorities, while the Personal Data Protection Service will be responsible to monitor personal data procession.

State Inspector Londa Toloraia said that the initiative was a 'surprise' for her and expressed her hope that the process will be suspended.

Gov’t launches State Inspector’s Service to study alleged offences by law enforcers

31 Jan 2018

The government of Georgia has allowed for the creation of the State Inspector’s Service that will study alleged offences committed by law enforcers, a decision that has long been requested by the civil sector and the opposition.

State Inspector's Service investigates alleged 'inhumane treatment' of ex-pres. Saakashvili

18 Nov 2021

The State Inspector's Service of Georgia has launched an investigation into alleged 'inhumane treatment' of former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili who is currently in prison. In the course of the investigation, the Inspector's Service has questioned the Rustavi prison employee, who said that he was invited for questioning 'by mistake.'

State Inspector’s Service to investigate alleged attack on ex-pres. Saakashvili following his transfer to prison hospital

10 Nov 2021

The State Inspector’s Service will investigate the alleged physical assault on ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili when he was transferred to Gldani prison hospital on November 8. Saakashvili claims that prison staff verbally and physically abused him, saying ‘[they] dragged me to the ground and hit me several times in the neck.’

State Inspector’s Office fines Justice Ministry, Penitentiary Service for ‘illegal release’ of Saakashvili videos

07 Dec 2021

Georgia’s State Inspector’s Office, which studies alleged offences committed by law enforcement agencies and officers, has fined the country’s Justice Ministry and the Special Penitentiary Service 2,000 GEL for the release of videos of former president Mikheil Saakashvili in prison.

UN Human Rights office concerned by possible abolishment of State Inspector's Service in Georgia

27 Dec 2021

The United Nations Human Rights office has called on the ruling Georgian Dream party to withdraw a bill proposing to replace the State Inspector's Service with two new agencies.

Ruling party on replacement of Inspector’s Service: investigative, personal data protection functions not compatible

27 Dec 2021

Ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party MP Mamuka Mdinaradze has stated that the GD has proposed splitting the State Inspector’s Service into two agencies because the investigative and personal data protection functions are ‘not compatible with each other.’

NGOs condemn possible replacement of State Inspector's Service by two other agencies

27 Dec 2021

A total of 17 NGOs have called on the Georgian government to ‘stop attacks on independent institutions’ following Georgian majoritarian MPs’ proposal to replace the State Inspector's Service, which investigates alleged offences committed by state officials and law enforcement agencies, with the Special Investigation and Personal Data Protection services.

PM Garibashvili says split of Inspector’s Service means more independence, transparency, rights for agencies

28 Dec 2021

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has stated that a recent ruling Georgian Dream party backed initiative to divide the State Inspector’s Service into two new agencies will strengthen the bodies and provide them with more independence, transparency and rights.

US ambassador calls on parliament to pause splitting of State Inspector’s Service into two agencies

28 Dec 2021

US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan has stated that ‘there is no need to rush’ with adopting a bill proposing to replace the State Inspector's Service with two new agencies, calling on the Georgian parliament to slow down the process.

EU delegation head: 'abolition' of State Inspector's Service 'bears risks' for Georgian democracy

28 Dec 2021

Acting Head of the EU Delegation to Georgia Asuncion Sanchez Ruiz has said that 'abolishing' the State Inspector's Service 'bears high risks' for the country's democracy.

Foreign dignitaries express concern over proposed replacement of State Inspector's Service

29 Dec 2021

Foreign dignitaries have expressed their concern over a bill proposed by ruling Georgian Dream party MPs to replace the State Inspector's Service with a Special Investigation Service and Personal Data Protection Service.

Parliament approves bill to replace State Inspector's Service with two new agencies

30 Dec 2021

The Georgian parliament has approved a bill to replace the State Inspector's Service with a Special Investigation Service and Personal Data Protection Service in March 2022.

Eighty-one MPs supported the amendments proposed by ruling Georgian Dream party MPs in its third and final reading in the 150-member legislative body.

Georgian parliament adopts amendments on expanding investigative authorities of special investigation service

30 Nov 2022

The Georgian parliament on Wednesday adopted the amendments to the law on the special investigative service, increasing its investigative authorities, in the third reading with 80 votes in favour and one against.

Security police officers arrested for domestic violence, assault

06 Jan 2023

Georgia’s Special Investigative Service has arrested two security police officers for domestic violence and assault in Georgia’s western region of Kutaisi and Kakheti in the east.