Minister: Process of transfer of Turkish convicts from Georgia to start soon

Georgia, Tbilisi, 15 Feb. / Trend N.Kirtskhalia /

The Georgian side will soon begin the process of transfer of Turkish citizens sentenced in Georgia to Turkey, the Minister of Justice Thea Tsulukiani told reporters on Friday.

However, she noted that in parallel negotiations will be held with the Turkish side on the transfer of Georgian convicts.

"During the visit of the Prime Minister of Georgia to Turkey and earlier we conducted active negotiations for the exchange of prisoners. If the Turkish side will transfer to us our convicted citizens, it will receive its citizens. This is to ensure that both the Turkish and Georgian prisoners have the opportunity to meet with family members from time to time. The first stage provides for transfer of several Turkish citizens sentenced in Georgia. Their cases have already been converted, which means that the orders are ready to be signed. However, for this to be implemented, it is necessary to undertake certain procedures to compare the sentence given in Georgia to its equivalent in Turkey, provided under Turkish legislation. The transfer process will begin upon completion of these procedures," Thea Tsulukiani said.

According to her, convicts to be transferred to Turkey have received sentences for crimes of varying severity.

Earlier, the Turkish Prime Minister stated at a joint briefing with his Georgian counterpart in Ankara that the two sides will exchange prisoners.

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