Georgia, Tbilisi, April 6 / Trend N. Kirtzkhalia /
The Georgian Parliament rapidly approved amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code of the country in the second and third reading on Friday, which deprive the accused of the right to choose who should consider his case - the jury or the judge.
According to the changes, the case will be considered without a jury, if a defendant's lawyer and the prosecutor are able to agree.
The national movement strongly opposed the adoption of this bill, initiated by the government, stating that former officials whose cases are considered by the jury will be deprived of this right.
These amendments will not be applied towards former high-ranking officials, including former Interior and Defence Minister Bacho Akhalaia.
The changes in the law will come into force after Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili signs the order.