2018-02-02
"We have developed a package of legislative amendments introducing stricter punishment for membership and leadership of criminal organizations. In addition, association with organized crime members also becomes liable to prosecution. As you know, the Interior Ministry is implementing substantial reforms, in which Giorgi Gakharia enjoys tremendous support. As you know, the Ministry of Interior is implementing fundamental reforms across a variety of areas, such as the Criminal Police, the Patrol Police, the institution of neighborhood police officer, empowerment of foot patrol, and others. I am convinced that these steps will surely improve safety in the country and better the protection of our citizens.
I would like to welcome the ministry's openness. Importantly, a special human rights department was created, so we may strike a balancer in this area in this particular institution and elsewhere. I would like to emphasize and assure our population that the mentality of organized crime will never again take root in Georgia. Never ever! In this regard, we will be truly consistent and merciless because it is about the peace and quiet of our fellow compatriots and the building of our country's future!
In addition, I would like to comment on the assistance provided by the Japanese Government to our Government. As you know, we made a joint decision to hand all 96 automobiles to the Patrol Police, which I believe to be a very good decision. It involves the hybrid and electric vehicles, handed as a gift from the Government of Japan and the Mitsubishi Corporation to the Government of Georgia. We wanted the Patrol Police to be the pioneer, and we wanted it to be the inaugural project to be implemented with involvement from the Japanese Government. I believe it is time to switch to environment-friendly transport. This is why this pilot measure, which is a significant gift from the Government of Japan, we must expand to cover the whole Government, and we must say no black jeeps with tinted windows."
Prime Minister's Press Office