Georgia  signs conventions on cybercrime and extradition

At the initiative of the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia, the Republic of Georgia signed the fourth additional Protocol to the european convention on extradition and the second additional protocol to the convention on cybercrime.

This has been  signed to enhance the  cooperation and submission of electronic evidence. This is seen as a significant step in countering transnational crime across the country and the Caucasus region.

The significant development came on June 17, 2024.  Law enforcement and security experts stated that this is an important step forward in improving the effectiveness of international cooperation in criminal justice.

The fourth additional protocol of the European Convention on Extradition underlined supplementing and modernizing the provisions of the convention and its three additional protocols. These protocols aim to adapt measures to modern challenges and needs in the wake of the development of international cooperation in the field of criminal law.

Similarly  the Second Additional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime on Enhanced Cooperation and Submission of electronic evidence highlighted the importance of speeding up the process of obtaining electronic evidence across borders. Against the backdrop of increasing cybercrime rates and increasing international elements, it will significantly increase the capabilities of Georgian law enforcement agencies in the fight against cybercrime.

It is to be specifically mentioned that as per the new regulations, opportunities for cooperation between law enforcement agencies and foreign Internet service providers are expanding. The rapid exchange of electronic evidence between countries in emergencies and the creation of multinational investigative teams for complex cybercrime is also helping to counter the crime rate.

It should be noted that the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia is the leading agency preparing to sign the Fourth Additional Protocol of the European Convention on Extradition and the Second Additional Protocol of the Convention on Cybercrime.

At the signing ceremonies  the protocols were signed on behalf of Georgia by the Permanent Representative of Georgia to the Council of Europe Tamar Taliashvili. The document was also signed on behalf of the Council of Europe by the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Bjorn Berge, in the presence of many others.