Head of the Special Investigation Service (SIS) Koka Katsitadze with his Deputy Natia Songulashvili met the members of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) Nikola Kovacevic and Razvan Horatiu Radu.

At the meeting, held within the framework of the CPT 7th Monitoring Visit to Georgia, Koka Katsitadze spoke to the members of the committee about the mandate of the special investigative service, the investigative jurisdiction, the steps taken and the legislative changes made in terms of strengthening the service, the SIS press office said.

The SIS Head informed the delegation of the changes to ensure functional independence, allowing investigators to enter penitentiary institutions and temporary detention centres without hindrance and prior permission.

“Also, an important role of the service to appoint special protection measures for the witness and the victim was noted –  the Victims’ Rights Protection Unit was created, whose employees daily provide detailed information on the rights and duties of the affected citizens, including the applicants, support them psychologically, familiarize with the criminal case materials, offer special protection programs and organize the familiarization process of case materials for the representatives of the Office of the Public Defender of Georgia.

Koka Katsitadze highlighted the institutional expansion of the service. Firstly, to ensure geographical accessibility, effective management and investigation goals the 3rd specialized unit, Kakheti and Samegrelo Regional units were added to the Special Investigation Service and the construction of the headquarters is underway,” reads the statement.