The Public Defender positively evaluates Giorgi Mamaladze's release. About 3 months ago, the Public Defender addressed the Minister of Justice with a recommendation[1] to change the imprisonment of convicted Giorgi Mamaladze to a lighter sentence (house arrest) or consider the conditional release.

According to the information available to the Public Defender’s Office, the parole commission completed the consideration of the case on February 14, 2024 and Giorgi Mamaladze was released.

In the Public Defender's recommendation, special attention was paid to Giorgi Mamaladze's health condition, as well as other criteria for his early release. The Public Defender urged the parole commission to fully study the situation of Giorgi Mamaladze and to pay proper attention to all the factual and legal circumstances specified in the recommendation.

We remind the public that in 2019, the Public Defender, based on the reports of the invited medical experts, addressed the Minister of Justice with a recommendation regarding the provision of health care for convicted Giorgi Mamaladze.[2] The study of the case continued in the following period and Giorgi Mamaladze's serious health condition was constantly mentioned in the Public Defender’s 2020-2022 reports[3], focusing on the fact that he could not receive proper medical services.

Finally, on October 30, 2023, the Public Defender addressed the Minister of Justice with a recommendation. The Public Defender welcomes the use of the leniency mechanism in relation to Giorgi Mamaladze.

[1] Recommendation No. 15-5/10649 of the Public Defender of Georgia of October 30, 2023.

[2] Recommendation No. 15-5/2748 of the Public Defender of Georgia of March 7, 2019.

[3] Activity reports of the Criminal Justice Department of the Public Defender’s Office: 2020 report, p. 43

<https://www.ombudsman.ge/res/docs/2021040113411364936.pdf> 2021 report, pp. 38-39

<https://www.ombudsman.ge/res/docs/2022040420075286303.pdf> 2022 report p. 189-190

<https://www.ombudsman.ge/res/docs/2023040315084085042.pdf> [last accessed: 15.02.2024].