The sitting of the Committee on Defense and Securityhe Committee heard with the first reading the draft by the Government “On Police” and by-laws. The draft regulates the main principles of police activity, its functions and authorities, issues of legal and social protection, funding, material and technical provision and control. The draft was introduced by the Deputy-Minister of Internal Affairs, Levan Izoria.

According to him, the draft differs from the current law, though it contains sundry conceptual novelties, namely: the functions of prevention and response on offence are separated; the vague terms are defined etc. He noted that the specifications of policy system of several countries, including Germany, were taken into account, but the specifics of Georgia are as well considered. “Police reform is one of our main priorities. The current law is the remnant from the Soviet Union, adopted in 1995 without any further changes. The privilege of the new law is that it contains in details the functions and obligations of police, it prescribes action rules. All in all, it will facilitate better order of society”, - he Chair of the Committee, Irakli Sesiashvili stated. the Committee considered with the first reading the draft by the Government on change to the Code of Administrative Offense. One of the main novelties is that the forwarder companies shall equip the transport with tachographs. It fixes the km passed by the car, the interval between the breaks etc. According to L. Izoria, due to the absence of control, the drivers often create danger for others. “This is not an international case, in failure of implementation of which the transport means, registered in Georgia, will not be able to drive to European countries. The Government assumed this obligation in March. Georgia is a transfer country. The cargo is forwarded by Georgian companies. Equipment of cars means that the company shall provide this equipment”, - he stated. The draft provides penalty for violation with 500 GEL for the driver and 5000 GEL for the company. The draft envisages 2000 GEL of penalty for insubordination to police or insult thereof or detention for 15 days. The changes also prohibit drinking spirits in public places, imposing penalty of 300 GEL. Repeated violation shall be subject to penalty of 500 GEL and the third case – of 700 GEL. According to the changes to the Code of Administrative Offense, in the event of driving under the influence of alcohol, the penalty is deprivation of the license for 1 year, in case of person under 18, the term is 2 years. the Committee supported the drafts to be submitted to the session.