Georgia
Georgia proscribes terrorism in its Criminal Code with a maximum of life imprisonment for offences that involve homicide. There is no carve-out for the exercise of fundamental human rights.
The Definition of Terrorism in Domestic Law
Georgia defines terrorism in its Criminal Code as "explosion, arson, application of arms or any other action giving rise to threat of a person’s death, substantial property damage or any other grave consequence and undermines public security, strategic, political or economic interests of the State, perpetrated to intimidate the population or put pressure upon a governmental body".Art. 323(1), Criminal Code of Georgia.
Adherence to Global and Regional Terrorism Treaties
Georgia is a State Party to all of the main United Nations treaties on terrorism.
| Treaty | Adherence |
|---|---|
| 1973 Convention on Crimes against Internationally Protected Persons | State Party |
| 1979 Hostage-Taking Convention | State Party |
| 1997 Terrorist Bombings Convention | State Party |
| 1999 Terrorist Financing Convention | State Party |
| 2005 Nuclear Terrorism Convention | State Party |
Georgia is also a State Party to two of the European treaties on terrorism.
| Treaty | Adherence |
|---|---|
| 1977 European Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism | State Party |
| 2003 Protocol amending the European Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism | State Party |
| 2005 Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism | Signatory |
| 2015 Additional Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism | State not party |
The 2003 Protocol has not yet entered into force.
Laws and Penalties for Terrorist Offences
The general penalty for a terrorist act is imprisonment of between five and eight years.Art. 323(1), Criminal Code of Georgia.Where an offence is committed repeatedly or uses a weapon of mass destruction, the penalty is raised to between eight and fifteen years.Art. 323(2), Criminal Code of Georgia.Where the offence includes a homicide, the sentence shall be from fifteen to twenty years or life imprisonment.Art. 323(4), Criminal Code of Georgia.
In 2020, Georgia tried and convicted one Georgian citizen on terrorism charges for his involvement in Islamic State-related activities abroad.
Counterterrorism Capacities and Policies at Domestic Level
The State Security Service of Georgia is the law enforcement agency responsible for terrorism-related incidents and investigations. It has specialist counterterrorism expertise in its forces. Georgia does not have a dedicated counterterrorism unit in its national police.
Glossary
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