Chapter Two – Fundamental Human Rights
Article 13 – Human liberty
Human liberty shall be protected.
The deprivation or other restrictions of liberty shall only be permitted on the basis of a court decision.
An official authorised by law may arrest a person in cases defined by law. An arrestee shall be brought before a court of competent jurisdiction no later than 48 hours after being arrested. If the court does not adjudicate upon detention or any other restriction of liberty within the next 24 hours, the person shall be released immediately.
A person shall be informed of his/her rights and grounds for arrest immediately upon being arrested. A person may request the assistance of a lawyer immediately upon being arrested. This request must be satisfied.
The detention period for an accused person shall not exceed 9 months.
A Violation of the requirements of this article shall be punished by law. A person whose liberty has been restricted unlawfully shall have the right to compensation.
Chapter Two – Fundamental Human Rights
Article 31 – Procedural rights
Every person has the right to apply to a court to defend his/her rights. The right to a fair and timely trial shall be ensured.
Every person shall be tried only by a court that has jurisdiction over the case.
The right to defence shall be guaranteed. Everyone has the right to defend his/her rights before a court in person or through a lawyer, or through a representative in cases defined by law. The unrestricted exercise of the rights of a lawyer, as well as the right of lawyers to self-organisation, shall be guaranteed by law.
The defendant shall have the right to request that his/her witnesses be called and interrogated under the same conditions as the witnesses of the prosecution.
A person shall be presumed innocent until proved guilty, in accordance with the procedures established by law and the court’s judgment of conviction that has entered into legal force.
No one shall be obliged to prove his/her innocence. The burden of proof shall rest with the prosecution.
A decision to commit an accused for trial shall be based on a reasonable belief, and a judgment of conviction shall be based on incontrovertible evidence. Any suspicion that cannot be proved in accordance with the procedures established by law shall be resolved in the defendant’s favour.
No one shall be convicted again for the same crime.
No one shall be held responsible for an action that did not constitute an offence at the time when it was committed. No law shall have retroactive force unless it reduces or abrogates responsibility.
Evidence obtained in violation of the law shall have no legal force.
No one shall be obliged to testify against himself/herself or against his/her relatives, as determined by law.
Chapter Six – Judiciary and Prosecutor's Office
Article 62 – Judicial proceedings
Legal proceedings shall be conducted in the official language. An individual who does not have a command of the official language shall be provided with an interpreter.
Chapter Six – Judiciary and Prosecutor's Office
Article 62 – Judicial proceedings
Legal proceedings shall be conducted on the basis of equality of arms and the adversarial process.
Article 6 – Inadmissibility of unlawful restriction of a person’s constitutional rights and freedoms
1. Constitutional rights and freedoms of a participant in criminal proceedings may only be restricted on the basis of special provisions of the Constitution of Georgia and of this Code.
2. Only a court shall have the right to recognise a person as an offender and to impose a sentence on him/her.
3. Preference shall always be given to the most lenient form of restriction of rights and freedoms.
Article 8 – Fair trial and expediency of justice
1. The accused (the convict or the acquitted person) shall have a right to a fair trial.
Article 6 – Inadmissibility of unlawful restriction of a person’s constitutional rights and freedoms
1. Constitutional rights and freedoms of a participant in criminal proceedings may only be restricted on the basis of special provisions of the Constitution of Georgia and of this Code.
2. Only a court shall have the right to recognise a person as an offender and to impose a sentence on him/her.
3. Preference shall always be given to the most lenient form of restriction of rights and freedoms.
Article 8 – Fair trial and expediency of justice
1. The accused (the convict or the acquitted person) shall have a right to a fair trial.
Article 74 – Testimony of the accused
1. A testimony given by the accused shall be the information provided to the court on the circumstances of the criminal case.
2. Giving a testimony shall be the right of the accused.
3. The fact of refusal of the accused to give a testimony, or of giving a false testimony may not be considered as the evidence that proves the culpability of the accused.
4. The acknowledgement of the accused may not serve as grounds for a judgment of conviction, unless it can be proved by any other confirming evidence.
Article 238 – Previous conviction of the accused
Before the announcement of the verdict, the jurors shall not be notified of a previous criminal or administrative liability or conviction of the accused (unless this constitutes one of the qualifying elements of the charges brought, and/or is intended to verify the reliability of the testimony of the accused), nor of any other evidence that is not related to proving the charges.
Article 247 – Inadmissibility to use the information provided by the accused before a hearing on the merits
1. If the accused objects, it shall be impermissible to publicly read the information provided by him/her during an interview before a hearing on the merits or to play (demonstrate) the audio or video recording of this information and to use this information as evidence. Refusal of the accused to have the information provided by him/her publicly read or the audio or video recording of that information played (demonstrated) may not be considered as evidence proving his/her culpability.
2. The restriction provided for by paragraph 1 of this article shall not apply to information obtained as a result of operative-investigative or covert investigative actions.
Article 259 – Legality, reasonableness and fairness of a court judgment
1. A court judgment shall be legitimate, reasoned and fair.
2. A court judgment shall be considered legitimate if it has been rendered in compliance with the requirements of the Constitution of Georgia, international agreements of Georgia, and other normative acts, including this Code and other laws of Georgia, the provisions of which were applied during the criminal proceedings.
3. A court judgment shall be considered reasoned if it is based on the sum of evidence excluding reasonable doubt that has been examined during the court hearing. All findings and decisions provided in a court judgment shall be reasoned.
4. A court judgment shall be considered fair if the sentence imposed corresponds to the personality of the convicted person and to the gravity of the crime he/she has committed.
Chapter IV
Request of the International Court
Article 14. Serving case materials to the persons concerned
1 .By decision of the Responsible Agency, a person to which the request of the International Court is related has the right to be served with the case materials.
2.The right referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article may be restricted:
a)in the interests of proceedings before the International Court;
b) where a substantial legal ground thereof exists, if the International Court so requires;
c)due to the need for immediate taking appropriate measures;
d) for the purpose of preservation of confidential information.
Chapter V
Surrender of a person to the International Court
Article 23. Arrest of a person for the purpose of his surrender
4. In ordering arrest it should be verified that the arrested person is the person whose arrest is sought in the International Court’s request. The arrested person shall be given notice of the grounds for surrender and a summary procedure of surrender. He shall be interrogated with regard to his personal data and shall be given explanation that he has the right to defense.
Chapter V
Surrender of a person to the International Court
Article 26. Rights of a person subject to surrender
1. A request for surrender and its accompanying materials shall be served to the prosecuted person and his legal counsel in a language they understand.
2. The Responsible Agency explains to the prosecuted person the ground for his surrender, a summary procedure for surrender and his right to:
a) challenge the jurisdiction of the International Court;
b) invoke a defense counsel at his own choice or, where there is no such counsel, to request the Responsible Agency to choose a counsel for him or to appoint a counsel in his favor.
3. A prosecuted person shall be interrogated with regard to his personal data and will be explained the grounds for his surrender. The person shall have the right to offer arguments against his arrest and surrender. His counsel shall have the right to participate in this procedure.
Chapter VI
Other Forms of Cooperation
Article 36. Interrogation Of The Person
1. A person suspected of the commission of crime under the jurisdiction of the International Court enjoys following rights during the interrogation:
(a) the right to be given notice that he is suspected of commission of a crime within the jurisdiction of the International Court
(b) Right to refuse to give testimony
(c) the right to invite the defense counsel of his own choice, or he does not have one, to demand the appointment of the counsel by the responsible agency
(d) right to be interrogated in the presence of his defense counsel, unless he refuse the assistance of the counsel by his own free will.
2. if a person is interrogated in a language he does not or inadequately understand, he shall be assigned an interpreter. He shall also be entitled to receive necessary material translated in a language he understands.
3. A person shall have the right to refuse to testify against his close friends and relatives as defined by the Code of Criminal procedure of Georgia and by the Rules of Procedure and evidence of the International Court or by refusing to testify a person desires to prevent the disclosure of information related to state security, in accordance with Article 72 of the Statute. If the person decides to use this right, the Responsible Agency shall decide on acceptability of interrogating the person.
4. Rights established in this Article shall be explained to the person concerned before he is interrogated.
Chapter VI
Other Forms of Cooperation
Article 38. Summons to the International Court
1. A summons for witnesses and experts/specialists before the International Court shall be accompanied with the Rules of Procedure and Evidence relating to self-incrimination and shall be served to person in a language they understand. the witness, expert or specialist, who appeared before the International Court shall be given guarantee by the International Court that he/she will not be prosecuted, arrested or otherwise deprived of his freedom for the conduct that took place before he appeared before the International Court.
2. A summoned person is not obliged to appear before the International Court if his transportation expenses are not covered by the International Court.
3. If the International Court submits the request envisaged in this article, the International Court shall also submit to Responsible Agency the appropriate documents guaranteeing that the expenses of free movement of the witness will be covered by the International Court.
Chapter 4 Request of the International Court
Article 14
Serving case materials to the persons concerned
1. By decision of the Responsible Agency, a person to which the request of the International Court is related has the right to be served with the case materials.
2. The right referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article may be restricted:
a. in the interests of proceedings before the International Court;
b. where a substantial legal ground thereof exists, if the International Court so requires;
c. due to the need for immediate taking appropriate measures;
d. for the purpose of preservation of confidential information.
Chapter 3 Types of Coordination
Article 16
Protection of participants in criminal processes and other persons
2. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia shall ensure specific measures under the legislation of Georgia for protection of participants in criminal processes and other persons transferred from foreign countries to Georgia.
3. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia shall inform the foreign law enforcement authorities requesting specific measures of protection of the types of measures being applied for the participants in criminal processes and other persons transferred to Georgia.
1. En las investigaciones realizadas de conformidad con el presente Estatuto:
(a) Nadie será obligado a declarar contra sí mismo ni a declararse culpable;
(b) Nadie será sometido a forma alguna de coacción, intimidación o amenaza, a torturas ni a otros tratos o castigos crueles, inhumanos o degradantes;
(c) Quien haya de ser interrogado en un idioma que no sea el que comprende y habla perfectamente contará, sin cargo alguno, con los servicios de un intérprete competente y las traducciones que sean necesarias a los efectos de cumplir el requisito de equidad; y
(d) Nadie será sometido a arresto o detención arbitrarios ni será privado de su libertad salvo por los motivos previstos en el presente Estatuto y de conformidad con los procedimientos establecidos en él.
2. Cuando haya motivos para creer que una persona ha cometido un crimen de la competencia de la Corte y esa persona haya de ser interrogada por el Fiscal o por las autoridades nacionales, en cumplimiento de una solicitud hecha de conformidad con lo dispuesto en la Parte IX, tendrá además los derechos siguientes, de los que será informada antes del interrogatorio:
(a) A ser informada de que existen motivos para creer que ha cometido un crimen de la competencia de la Corte;
(b) A guardar silencio, sin que ello pueda tenerse en cuenta a los efectos de determinar su culpabilidad o inocencia;
(c) A ser asistida por un abogado defensor de su elección o, si no lo tuviere, a que se le asigne un defensor de oficio, siempre que fuere necesario en interés de la justicia y, en cualquier caso, sin cargo si careciere de medios suficientes; y
(d) A ser interrogada en presencia de su abogado, a menos que haya renunciado voluntariamente a su derecho a asistencia letrada.
1. El acusado estará presente durante el juicio.
2. Si el acusado, estando presente en la Corte, perturbare continuamente el juicio, la Sala de Primera Instancia podrá disponer que salga de ella y observe el proceso y dé instrucciones a su defensor desde fuera, utilizando, en caso necesario, tecnologías de comunicación. Esas medidas se adoptarán únicamente en circunstancias excepcionales, después de que se haya demostrado que no hay otras posibilidades razonables y adecuadas, y únicamente durante el tiempo que sea estrictamente necesario.
1. Se presumirá que toda persona es inocente mientras no se pruebe su culpabilidad ante la Corte de conformidad con el derecho aplicable.
2. Incumbirá al Fiscal probar la culpabilidad del acusado.
3. Para dictar sentencia condenatoria, la Corte deberá estar convencida de la culpabilidad del acusado más allá de toda duda razonable.
1. En la determinación de cualquier cargo, el acusado tendrá derecho a ser oído públicamente, habida cuenta de las disposiciones del presente Estatuto, y a una audiencia justa e imparcial, así como a las siguientes garantías mínimas en pie de plena igualdad:
(a) A ser informado sin demora y en forma detallada, en un idioma que comprenda y hable perfectamente, de la naturaleza, la causa y el contenido de los cargos que se le imputan;
(b) A disponer del tiempo y de los medios adecuados para la preparación de su defensa y a comunicarse libre y confidencialmente con un defensor de su elección;
(c) A ser juzgado sin dilaciones indebidas;
(d) Con sujeción a lo dispuesto en el párrafo 2 del artículo 63, el acusado tendrá derecho a hallarse presente en el proceso y a defenderse personalmente o ser asistido por un defensor de su elección; a ser informado, si no tuviera defensor, del derecho que le asiste a tenerlo y, siempre que el interés de la justicia lo exija, a que se le nombre defensor de oficio, gratuitamente si careciere de medios suficientes para pagarlo;
(e) A interrogar o hacer interrogar a los testigos de cargo y a obtener la comparecencia de los testigos de descargo y que éstos sean interrogados en las mismas condiciones que los testigos de cargo. El acusado tendrá derecho también a oponer excepciones y a presentar cualquier otra prueba admisible de conformidad con el presente Estatuto;
(f) A ser asistido gratuitamente por un intérprete competente y a obtener las traducciones necesarias para satisfacer los requisitos de equidad, si en las actuaciones ante la Corte o en los documentos presentados a la Corte se emplea un idioma que no comprende y no habla;
(g) A no ser obligado a declarar contra sí mismo ni a declararse culpable y a guardar silencio, sin que ello pueda tenerse en cuenta a los efectos de determinar su culpabilidad o inocencia;
(h) A declarar de palabra o por escrito en su defensa sin prestar juramento; y
(i) A que no se invierta la carga de la prueba ni le sea impuesta la carga de presentar contrapruebas.
2. Además de cualquier otra divulgación de información estipulada en el presente Estatuto, el Fiscal divulgará a la defensa, tan pronto como sea posible, las pruebas que obren en su poder o estén bajo su control y que, a su juicio, indiquen o tiendan a indicar la inocencia del acusado, o a atenuar su culpabilidad, o que puedan afectar a la credibilidad de las pruebas de cargo. En caso de duda acerca de la aplicación de este párrafo, la Corte decidirá.