15:00, 22 June 2011

The Parliament of Georgia toughens the penalty for organizing paramilitary groups

On June, 21, the Parliament of Georgia adopted amendments to the Criminal code in first reading by 101 votes against one according to which the penalty for participation, forming or command of paramilitary groups will be toughened.

The sanction for forming or command of a paramilitary group (army, strategic formation, detachment or another kind of grouping) will be increased from 6 – 9 to 6 – 12 years of custody.

The sanction for participation in a paramilitary group will be also increased up to 7 years of imprisonment. According to the Criminal code of Georgia in force, participation in a paramilitary group is punished by 3 to 5 years of custody.

Besides, an additional clause will be enacted which stipulates penalty for financing a paramilitary group. The penalty includes a fine or custody for a term of 5 to 8 years. “Novosti-Georgia” reports.

At the same time the law in draft runs that persons who stop participation in paramilitary groups on their own free will and surrender arms are exempted from criminal liability if there are no components of another crime in their actions, “Georgia Today” reports.