EU provides identity document verification equipment and cybercrime investigation software to Ministry of Interior Affairs
Thursday, January 23
At an event at the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) the EU together with project implementer International Organization for Migration (IOM) have donated advanced border management and crimefighting equipment to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This included sophisticated equipment for the in-depth examination of identity and travel documents to the Forensics-Criminalistic Department of the MIA and two comprehensive software packages enabling both the Forensics-Criminalistic and the Central Criminal Police Departments of the MIA to thoroughly investigate instances of cybercrime and retrieve evidence from cyber space that was hitherto difficult to penetrate.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Vincent Rey, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Georgia noted: "This equipment will enable Georgian authorities to more effectively fight irregular migration, and crime, including highly complex forms of cybercrime. It is important in view of visa free travel to the EU , and is part of the EU's wider support to ensure modern and well managed borders in Georgia and the safety and security to Georgians."
These materials are part of a EU funded support programme which includes equipment valued at EUR 10 million (GEL 32 Million) to Georgian authorities for use in areas of migration and border management.
To date various departments of the MIA have received sizeable quantities of document examination equipment, which has supported the Georgian government’s compliance in improving migration governance and border management, and meet the benchmarks of the EU visa-free travel suspension mechanism. Supporting the Georgian authorities in fighting highly complex forms of cybercrime is another priority for the EU.
