Enforcement of sentences imposed

Georgia

Georgia - Law on Cooperation between the International Criminal Court and Georgia 2003 EN

Chapter II
National State Agency Responsible for Cooperation between the International Court and Georgia

Article 3. A national state agency responsible for cooperation between the International Court and Georgia

3. In the course of cooperating with the International Court, the Responsible Agency shall have the authority:

i) to take a decision on a request of the International Court, for the purpose of executing a deprivation of liberty sentence on the territory of Georgia, for accepting the convicted person and executing a fine and/or other reimbursement of expenses imposed by the International Court.;

Chapter VIII
Execution of Decision of the International Court


Article 45. Conditions for execution of decisions of the International Court
1. At the request of the International Court, decision which entered into force may executed in Georgia if the convicted person is a citizen of Georgia and/or permanent resident of Georgia and/or his property is on the territory of Georgia.
2. A sentence by the international Court imposing pecuniary penalties may be executed in Georgia also if the person has a permanent residence abroad but his property is on the territory of Georgia.
3. Decisions of the International Court shall be executed pursuant to procedures, of the Law of Georgia on Imprisonment, law of Georgia on punishment execution proceedings or the Law of Georgia on Execution of Non-imprisonment Sentences and Probation.

Article 46. Execution of a deprivation of liberty sentence
1. A deprivation of liberty sentence imposed by the International Court may be executed on the territory of Georgia after the Responsible Agency gives consent to execute the request thereon.

2. The Responsible Agency, having consulted with a state authority competent to execute a deprivation of liberty sentence, makes a decision on executing the deprivation of liberty sentence imposed by the International Court on the territory of Georgia. The Responsible Agency shall notify its decision to the International Court.
3. At the request of the Court, the Responsible Agency provides any information related to execution of sentences. The International Court may, at any time, send its representative to Georgia to check the imprisonment conditions and to meet with and converse with the convicts. Relations between the International Court and such a convict shall be confidential.
4. If the convict submits a motion for his release parole, pardon, appeal or renewal of proceedings due to newly discovered circumstances, as appropriate state authority shall immediately forward such a motion together with other necessary documentation to the International Court. Only the International Court shall have the power to reduce the length of imprisonment or mitigate the sentence in any manner.
5. Other matters relating to the execution of the sentence shall be resolved in accordance with the applicable legislation of Georgia.

Article 48. Execution of decisions on confiscation of objects or assets holding material
value
In executing a decision of the International Court on confiscation of objects or assets holding material value, rules established in this Law and the code of criminal procedure of Georgia shall apply, if there is a decision of the International Court on confiscation of objects or assets holding material value and the International Court requests Georgia to take measures for the execution of the aforementioned decision.

Article 49. Execution expenses
Transportation expenses as well as expenses referred to in Article 103(4) of the Statute, shall be reimbursed by the International Court. Georgia shall bear other expenses related to execution of the sentence on its territory.

Georgia - Law on International Cooperation in Criminal Matters 2010 EN

Chapter 5 Transfer to a foreign state (or to Georgia) of persons sentenced to imprisonment for the purpose of serving a sentence

Article 47 Enforcement of a judgement of a competent court of Georgia in a foreign state

1. Where there are relevant legal grounds, a competent court of Georgia may request the Ministry of Justice of Georgia to enforce its judgement in a foreign state.

2. A judgement of a competent court of Georgia shall be enforced in a foreign state in accordance with the legislation of that State.

3. A judgement delivered against a convicted person may not be enforced in Georgia with respect to that part of the judgement for the enforcement of which a request has been submitted to the foreign competent authority through the Ministry of Justice of Georgia.

4. The procedure specified in paragraph 3 of this article shall not apply if a convicted person has been sentenced to imprisonment and that person is in custody in the territory of Georgia at the moment of submitting a request to the relevant foreign competent authority for the enforcement of the judgement in a foreign state.

5. Except as provided for by paragraph 4 of this article, the competent authorities of Georgia may themselves enforce the judgement transmitted to a foreign state for enforcement if:

a. the judgement transmitted for enforcement to a foreign state has been withdrawn by the Ministry of Justice of Georgia before receiving a notification of enforcement from the foreign state concerned;

b. the foreign state has refused to enforce the judgement delivered by a competent court of Georgia;

c. under the agreement between the Ministry of Justice of Georgia and the relevant authority of the foreign state, the foreign state has waived its right to enforce the judgement delivered by a competent court of Georgia;

d. the possibility of enforcing a judgement of a competent court of Georgia in a foreign state no longer exists.

6. If a judgement of a competent court of Georgia, which has been sent to a foreign state for enforcement, has been modified or repealed due to newly discovered or identified circumstances, or the person convicted under the said judgement has been granted amnesty based on an act of amnesty or pardon in accordance with the legislation of Georgia, the competent foreign authority shall be immediately notified through the Ministry of Justice of Georgia.

7. If a convicted person was in custody in Georgia and then was transferred by a competent court of Georgia to a foreign state for the enforcement of the judgement, a request of the foreign state for consent to prosecute or enforce a judgement against this person for a different crime committed by him/her before the transfer shall be considered by the Ministry of Justice of Georgia.

8. The Ministry of Justice of Georgia shall grant the request of a foreign state specified in paragraph 7 of this article if the new crime is subject to extradition under the legislation of Georgia or is not subject to extradition only due to its failure to meet the requirements established with respect to the measure of punishment.

Chapter 5 Transfer to a foreign state (or to Georgia) of persons sentenced to imprisonment for the purpose of serving a sentence

Article 48

Form of request for the enforcement of a judgement of a competent court of Georgia in a foreign state and accompanying documents

A request for the enforcement of a judgement of a competent court of Georgia in a foreign state shall be prepared in writing. It shall be accompanied by the following documents:

a. the original, or a duly certified copy, of the judgement to be transmitted for enforcement in the territory of a foreign state;

b. upon the request of a foreign state, relevant criminal case files or their duly certified copies.

Chapter 5 Transfer to a foreign state (or to Georgia) of persons sentenced to imprisonment for the purpose of serving a sentence

Article 49

Conditions for transmitting a judgment of a competent court of Georgia to a foreign state for enforcement

Where there are relevant legal grounds, the Ministry of Justice of Georgia may submit to a competent foreign authority a request for the enforcement in a foreign state of a judgement delivered by a competent court of Georgia:

a. if the convicted person has domicile in the foreign state concerned;

b. if the enforcement of a judgement delivered by a competent court of Georgia will contribute to the convicted person's social rehabilitation;

c. if the judgement under which the person is sentenced to imprisonment can be enforced in the territory of the foreign state after that person has served another prison sentence imposed on him/her under the judgement delivered by the competent foreign authority;

d. if the foreign state concerned is the country of origin of the person convicted by a competent court of Georgia and it undertakes to enforce the judgement;

e. if the relevant Georgian authorities consider that, even with the possibility of extradition, they cannot ensure the enforcement of the judgement and the foreign state is able to enforce the judgement delivered by a competent court of Georgia;

f. in other cases provided for by an international or individual agreement of Georgia.

Chapter 5 Transfer to a foreign state (or to Georgia) of persons sentenced to imprisonment for the purpose of serving a sentence

Article 50

General procedure for enforcing in the territory of Georgia judgements delivered by foreign competent courts

1.Where there are relevant legal grounds, a request for the enforcement in the territory of Georgia of a judgement delivered by a competent foreign court and supporting documents shall be forwarded to the relevant district (city) court through the Ministry of Justice of Georgia according to the residence of the convicted person or to a competent court designated by the President of the Supreme Court of Georgia.

2. The documents referred to in paragraph 1 of this article shall be forwarded to the relevant district (city) court only if the Ministry of Justice of Georgia deems it possible to carry out the measures relating to the enforcement in the territory of Georgia of a judgement of a competent foreign court.

3. Before a decision is made on the enforcement in the territory of Georgia of a judgement of a competent foreign court, the convicted person shall be given an opportunity to submit his/her opinions to the relevant district (city) court on the enforcement of the judgement.

4. The relevant district (city) court may become familiar with the opinions of the convicted person on the enforcement in the territory of Georgia of the judgement of a competent foreign court by hearing the convicted person in court or by means of a request for legal assistance.

5. The relevant district (city) court shall hear in person the opinions of the convicted person on the enforcement in the territory of Georgia of the judgement of a competent foreign court only upon the request of the convicted person.

6. In deciding upon the enforcement in the territory of Georgia of the judgement of a competent foreign court, the relevant district (city) court shall, in addition to the issues provided for in this Chapter, verify:

a. whether or not there exists a valid legal basis for the enforcement in the territory of Georgia of the judgement of a competent foreign court;

b. whether or not there exist the precluding circumstances referred to in Article 55(1)(a and b) of this Law;

c. whether or not the enforcement in the territory of Georgia of the judgement of a competent foreign court will be inconsistent with the non bis in idem principle;

d. whether or not there exist any other precluding circumstances provided for by an international or individual agreement of Georgia or the criminal legislation of Georgia.

7. In deciding upon the enforcement in the territory of Georgia of the judgement of a competent foreign court, the relevant district (city) court shall be restricted to the circumstances contained in or deriving from the foreign court judgement.

8. The relevant district (city) court shall consider the enforcement in the territory of Georgia of the judgement of a competent foreign court and deliver a decision not later than 4 months after the receipt of the documents referred to in paragraph 1 of this article.

9. The decision specified in paragraph 8 of this article shall be delivered in the form of a ruling and shall be appealed in the same way as a judgement delivered in the territory of Georgia.

10. The Ministry of Justice of Georgia shall immediately notify the foreign state concerned of the measures taken in relation to the enforcement in the territory of Georgia of the judgement of a foreign competent court.

11. Upon request, a copy of the judgement referred to in paragraph 9 of this article shall be sent to the competent authority of a foreign state.

12. The enforcement in the territory of Georgia of a judgement of a foreign competent court shall be effected under the legislation of Georgia, except as provided for by Article 53(3) of this Law.

13. In enforcing a judgement of a foreign competent court in the territory of Georgia, an act of amnesty or pardon issued either by the foreign state or by Georgia shall be used with respect to the convicted person.

14. A convicted person who was in custody in the territory of a foreign state and was then transferred to Georgia for the enforcement of the judgement, may not be proceeded against or convicted for any other crime committed before his/her transfer other than the crime for which the person has been transferred to Georgia for the enforcement of the judgement.

15. Unless otherwise provided for by an international or individual agreement of Georgia, the procedure specified in paragraph 14 of this article shall not apply if:

a. the state that transferred the convicted person to Georgia for the enforcement of the judgement consents;

b. the convicted person transferred to Georgia for the enforcement of the judgement of a competent foreign court who had the opportunity to leave Georgia did not leave the country within 45 days of his/her final release or returned again to Georgia after leaving its territory.

16. In the case specified in paragraph 15(a) of this article, the consent from the competent foreign authority shall be requested through the Ministry of Justice of Georgia on the basis of a relevant request, which shall be accompanied by the written opinion of the convicted person and all other necessary documents.

Chapter 5 Transfer to a foreign state (or to Georgia) of persons sentenced to imprisonment for the purpose of serving a sentence

Article 51

Procedure for enforcing in the territory of Georgia a judgement of imprisonment delivered by a foreign competent court

1. The competent district (city) court shall, after making a decision on the enforcement in the territory of Georgia of a judgement of imprisonment delivered by a foreign competent court, impose on the convicted person a sentence stipulated under the legislation of Georgia for a similar crime.

2. The type and extent of the sentence imposed by the competent district (city) court under paragraph 1 of this article may differ from the sentence specified in the judgement of the foreign competent court.

3. If the sentence specified in the judgement of the foreign competent court is less severe than the minimum sentence stipulated for a similar crime under the Criminal Code of Georgia, the competent district (city) court shall apply with respect to the convicted person the sentence that is stipulated under the legislation of the requesting state.

4. In imposing the sentence under this article, the relevant district (city) court may not aggravate the condition of the convicted person more than is stipulated in the judgement of the foreign competent court.

5. The period when a person was in pre-trial detention or was serving a sentence under the judgement transferred to Georgia for enforcement shall be counted towards the total term of the sentence imposed by the relevant district (city) court.

Chapter 5 Transfer to a foreign state (or to Georgia) of persons sentenced to imprisonment for the purpose of serving a sentence

Article 54 - Provisional measures connected with the enforcement of a judgement

1. Where a person is sentenced to imprisonment by a judgement of a competent court of Georgia and the person is in the territory of Georgia, a provisional measure of detention may be applied to the convicted person by a ruling of a competent magistrate judge after the competent foreign authority consents to the enforcement of the judgement delivered against such person.

2. The ruling specified in paragraph 1 of this article shall be delivered in order to ensure the enforcement of the judgement of a competent court of Georgia in the foreign state and the transfer of the convicted person to the foreign state concerned.

3. A person detained on the basis of the provisional measure specified in paragraph 1 of this article shall immediately be transferred to the foreign state concerned after the Ministry of Justice of Georgia receives consent for the enforcement of the judgement of a competent court of Georgia.

4. Where the Ministry of Justice of Georgia receives a request of a foreign state for the enforcement on the territory of Georgia of a judgement delivered by a foreign competent court, which imposes imprisonment on a person located in Georgia, a provisional measure of detention may be applied to this person under a ruling of the relevant magistrate judge if the act for which the enforcement in the territory of Georgia of a judgement delivered by a foreign competent court is sought is deemed to be an offence under the Criminal Code of Georgia and if remand detention can be used in the case of its commission under the Criminal Procedure Code of Georgia.

5. A provisional measure of detention may also be applied to a person convicted by a foreign competent court where the foreign competent authority expresses its wish to enforce in the territory of Georgia the judgement delivered against such person.

6. The provisional measure specified in paragraph 5 of this article shall be applied upon the request of the relevant foreign state, and it shall contain:

a. information on the crime for which the person was convicted;

b. information on the location and time of the crime;

c. a description of the person having committed the crime;

d. a brief description of the circumstances of the case that served as the basis for the judgement.

7. The application of the provisional measure specified in paragraph 5 of this article shall be decided on by the relevant magistrate judge. A provisional measure of detention may be applied with respect to a convicted person if the requirements of paragraph 4 are complied with.

8. The term of the provisional measure of detention applied to a convicted person in Georgia for the purpose of enforcing a judgement of a foreign competent court may not exceed the term determined by the judgement, otherwise the convicted person shall be released immediately from detention.

9. A convicted person detained in Georgia shall also be released from detention if the provisional measure determined under paragraph 5 of this article has been applied to him/her and, within 18 days of his/her arrest, the Ministry of Justice of Georgia has not received from the competent foreign authority a request and materials relating to the enforcement of the judgement.

10. Upon the arrest of a convicted person for the enforcement of a judgement referred to in this Chapter, the relevant district prosecutor shall be notified according to the location of the person; the prosecutor shall, within 48 hours, apply to the relevant magistrate judge, according to the place of arrest, for the application of a provisional measure of detention against the convicted person.

11. A magistrate judge shall decide on the application of a provisional measure of detention to the convicted person in accordance with Article 206 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Georgia and taking account of the characteristics of the enforcement procedures. The decision of the magistrate judge may be appealed to the Investigative Chamber of the Court of Appeals within 7 days after it has been served on the convicted person. The Chamber shall review the appeal within 5 days.

12. The term of the provisional measure provided for by this article shall be two months, which may be extended by two months due to the enforcement requirements, but not more than twice.

13. In the case specified in paragraph 13 of this article, the relevant magistrate judge shall extend the term of the provisional measure of detention upon a reasonable motion of the prosecutor. The decision of the magistrate judge may be appealed to the Investigative Chamber of the Court of Appeals in accordance with Article 207 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Georgia.

14. Where a competent foreign authority requests the enforcement in the territory of Georgia of a judgement imposing a forfeiture of property, such property may be provisionally seized for securing its possible forfeiture.

15. The procedure specified in paragraph 14 of this article shall be conducted in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Code of Georgia.

Chapter 5 Transfer to a foreign state (or to Georgia) of persons sentenced to imprisonment for the purpose of serving a sentence

Article 55

Grounds for refusing to enforce in the territory of Georgia judgements delivered by foreign courts

1. The judgements of competent foreign courts shall not be enforced in the territory of Georgia if:

a. the act for which the person was sentenced in the foreign state is not deemed to be a crime under the legislation of Georgia and the person with respect to whom the judgement was delivered would not be subject to prosecution or punishment if such act were committed in Georgia;

b. the enforcement of the judgement of the competent foreign court contravenes the fundamental principles of the Georgian legal system;

c. the crime with respect to which the competent foreign court delivered the judgement is deemed a political or military crime in Georgia;

d. there is a reasonable belief that the judgement of the competent foreign court was delivered or the person's condition was aggravated based on his/her race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, political opinions and other similar circumstances;

e. the enforcement of the judgement of the competent foreign court contravenes the international commitments of Georgia;

f. the relevant Georgian authorities are conducting proceedings in relation to the same crime with respect to which the enforcement of the judgement is sought;

g. with respect to the crime for which the enforcement of the judgement is sought there exists a judgement of a Georgian court or the relevant Georgian authorities have made a final decision to discontinue the prosecution against the person;

h. the relevant Georgian authorities have made a final decision on refusing to initiate a criminal prosecution for the crime for which the person's extradition has been requested;

i. the crime for which the enforcement of the judgement is sought has been committed outside the requesting state;

j. Georgia is not able to enforce the judgement delivered by the competent foreign court;

k. the relevant Georgian authority considers that the foreign state can itself enforce the judgement of its competent court;

l. with respect to the crime for which the enforcement of the judgement is sought the period of limitation has elapsed under the Criminal Code of Georgia, which exempts the person from serving the sentence;

m. the judgement of the competent foreign court only deprives the person of the right to hold office or to conduct certain activities.

2. In addition to the conditions provided for in paragraph 1 of this article, a judgement of a foreign competent court shall not be enforced in Georgia where there exist any precluding circumstances stipulated under an international or individual agreement of Georgia.

Rome Statute

Article 103 Role of States in enforcement of sentences of imprisonment

1.

(a) A sentence of imprisonment shall be served in a State designated by the Court from a list of States which have indicated to the Court their willingness to accept sentenced persons.

(b) At the time of declaring its willingness to accept sentenced persons, a State may attach conditions to its acceptance as agreed by the Court and in accordance with this Part.

(c) A State designated in a particular case shall promptly inform the Court whether it accepts the Court's designation.

2.

(a) The State of enforcement shall notify the Court of any circumstances, including the exercise of any conditions agreed under paragraph 1, which could materially affect the terms or extent of the imprisonment. The Court shall be given at least 45 days' notice of any such known or foreseeable circumstances. During this period, the State of enforcement shall take no action that might prejudice its obligations under article 110.

(b) Where the Court cannot agree to the circumstances referred to in subparagraph (a), it shall notify the State of enforcement and proceed in accordance with article 104, paragraph 1.

3. In exercising its discretion to make a designation under paragraph 1, the Court shall take into account the following:

(a) The principle that States Parties should share the responsibility for enforcing sentences of imprisonment, in accordance with principles of equitable distribution, as provided in the Rules of Procedure and Evidence;

(b) The application of widely accepted international treaty standards governing the treatment of prisoners;

(c) The views of the sentenced person;

(d) The nationality of the sentenced person;

(e) Such other factors regarding the circumstances of the crime or the person sentenced, or the effective enforcement of the sentence, as may be appropriate in designating the State of enforcement.

4. If no State is designated under paragraph 1, the sentence of imprisonment shall be served in a prison facility made available by the host State, in accordance with the conditions set out in the headquarters agreement referred to in article 3, paragraph 2. In such a case, the costs arising out of the enforcement of a sentence of imprisonment shall be borne by the Court.

Article 104 Change in designation of State of enforcement

1. The Court may, at any time, decide to transfer a sentenced person to a prison of another State.

2. A sentenced person may, at any time, apply to the Court to be transferred from the State of enforcement.

Article 105 Enforcement of the sentence

1. Subject to conditions which a State may have specified in accordance with article 103, paragraph 1 (b), the sentence of imprisonment shall be binding on the States Parties, which shall in no case modify it.

2. The Court alone shall have the right to decide any application for appeal and revision. The State of enforcement shall not impede the making of any such application by a sentenced person.

Article 106 Supervision of enforcement of sentences and conditions of imprisonment

1. The enforcement of a sentence of imprisonment shall be subject to the supervision of the Court and shall be consistent with widely accepted international treaty standards governing treatment of prisoners.

2. The conditions of imprisonment shall be governed by the law of the State of enforcement and shall be consistent with widely accepted international treaty standards governing treatment of prisoners; in no case shall such conditions be more or less favourable than those available to prisoners convicted of similar offences in the State of enforcement.

3. Communications between a sentenced person and the Court shall be unimpeded and confidential.

Article 109 Enforcement of fines and forfeiture measures

1. States Parties shall give effect to fines or forfeitures ordered by the Court under Part 7, without prejudice to the rights of bona fide third parties, and in accordance with the procedure of their national law.

2. If a State Party is unable to give effect to an order for forfeiture, it shall take measures to recover the value of the proceeds, property or assets ordered by the Court to be forfeited, without prejudice to the rights of bona fide third parties.

3. Property, or the proceeds of the sale of real property or, where appropriate, the sale of other property, which is obtained by a State Party as a result of its enforcement of a judgement of the Court shall be transferred to the Court.