Parliamentary committee supports PM-nominated candidate for Personal Data Protection Service chair
Janashvili has supported the splitting of the State Inspector Service - a controversial decision that has seen backlash from several non-governmental organisations and criticism from several diplomatic representatives - into the two agencies, saying the move would “enhance the degree of independence, impartiality and neutrality of both services.” Photo: Parliament of Georgia.
Tweet 
Share
The Georgian parliament’s Committee on Human Rights and Civil Integration has expressed support for Lela Janashvili, the candidate for the post of the Head of the Personal Data Protection Service, one of two new agencies launched to replace the outgoing State Inspector Service, on Friday.
Janashvili, nominated by the country prime minister, was speaking to the committee along with Tamar Alpaidze, another nominated candidate for the post, who received support from two deputies at today’s voting.
The head of the Personal Data Protection service will be elected at a plenary session of the parliament.
Emzar Gagnidze and Karlo Katsitadze are being considered for the position of the Head of the Special Investigation Service, the other body designed to replace the outgoing agency. The hearing sessions for the latter two candidates will be held at the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs.
Janashvili has supported the splitting of the State Inspector Service - a controversial decision that has seen backlash from several non-governmental organisations and criticism from several diplomatic representatives - into the two agencies, saying the move would “enhance the degree of independence, impartiality and neutrality of both services.”
The Georgian parliament approved the bill replacing the State Inspector Service, which investigated alleged offences committed by state officials and law enforcement agencies, with the two new bodies on December 30. The legislative changes involve facilitating the change in March.
Londa Toloraia, the State Inspector heading the outgoing institution, appealed the bill abolishing her service in Georgia’s Constitutional Court on January 25, requesting an “immediate suspension” of the process before the court delivers its decision on the case.
Several NGOs called on the Constitutional Court earlier today to give priority to Toloraia’s appeal and “suspend the validity of the disputed norms.”
The Georgian parliament approved the State Inspector Service in 2018, with the body operating since November 1, 2019 by conducting investigations with the supervision of the Prosecutor's Office.