Tbilisi. Coalition for Independent and Transparent Judiciary to the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia released a statement about the possible postponement of enactment of the new procedures for witness examination. On July 4, 2013, the Government of Georgia submitted to the parliament of Georgia draft amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code, postponing the date for enactment of new procedures for witness examination to December 1, 2014. Until then, old procedures envisaged by the 1998 Criminal Procedure Code will apply.

"We urge Georgian MPs to reject the proposed amendment and contribute to the process of improvement of the criminal justice system, first and foremost by ensuring meaningful equality of arms. Enactment of the new procedures for witness examination before court is the indispensable precondition for the equality of arms", says the statement.