Ministry of Justice Develops Plan for Delinquent Children's Housing
By Liza Mchedlidze
Thursday, March 21, 2024
According to the Minister of Internal Affairs, Vakhtang Gomelauri, child crime is a significant concern. He stated that the Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with other agencies, is developing a plan based on the German model, which involves providing separate housing for delinquent children in isolation.
"Finally, we have agreed on implementing the German model, which entails establishing separate dwellings for these children," stated Gomelauri.
He further explained that unlike traditional orphanages, children in these institutions will not have the right to leave without the permission of a judge.
"It will not be a prison, but rather conditions similar to those of an ordinary home: schooling, teachers, educators, education, sports... It could be for three months, six months, or even one year. We are actively working with the justice system on this model. We have not seen any other solution," said Gomelauri.
According to the Minister of Internal Affairs, there are cases where children attack tourists and rob them. Also, minors arrive from neighboring countries without documents, without a guardian, and Ministry of Internal Affairs employees often have to return them to their home countries.
"There is definitely a problem with minors. I also do not want to arrest these children and put them in prison, especially if they are under the age of 15. For example, there is one child, I will not mention his last name, he is 13 years old, he has committed 32 robberies - entering a pharmacy, entering with a knife, extortion, etc. There is no such thing in the history of Georgia, and I don't think it will happen abroad or in Russia. The whole police knows this child, I already know this kid. We will bring this kid, mother will come, she will write a statement, sorry, crying, and we let her go. We can't do anything," said Gomelauri.
