The delegation headed by the chairman of Georgian Bar Association participated in plenary session held in Verona. The delegation included the member of the Executive Board - Davit Asatiani and three lawyers practicing in Kutaisi: Marine Mangoshvili, Inga Kuprava and Ketevan Svanidze.
The agenda of PECO Committee meeting covered the issue about the situation of Georgian lawyers. The Chairman of GBA- Zaza Khatiashvili presented the evidences regarding the hearings exercised against him, which the prosecutor's office made public. The same thing did not happen to him ever. Zaza Khatiashvili noted that if they protect the person unacceptable for state, they became the attack objects and the state has no reaction.
The President of CCBE- Aldo Bulgareli applied to the President of Georgia, as well as to the Prime-Minister and Chairman of Parliament expressing concerns regarding the persecution of Georgian lawyers and asked the authority to take measures in order the lawyers to have a possibility to practice without intervention and fear. The letter of the President of CCBE remained unanswered, that indicates the state’s politics - to diminish the lawyer's Institute.
Zaza Khatiashvili informed the PECO Committee that he has applied to the Parliament of Georgia requesting the legislative amendments, meaning that the obstruction during advocacy to become the punishable under the criminal law, that promotes the development of lawyer’s profession. The member of the Executive Board – Davit Asatiani mentioned that it would be desirable if CCBE assists the GBA in achieving the legislative amendments, meaning that after becoming a member of GBA, any person (even a former General Prosecutor) has to pass the necessary – 6 months training course, in order that the integration process of other professionals in the lawyer’s profession to be painless.
The first Vice-President of CCBE- Maria Slazak has met with the delegation and she noted that the representatives of GBA from regions are welcome on the plenary session that promotes the development of legal profession in Georgia.
