Special Investigation Service of Georgia
SIS
Summary
The Special Investigation Service (SIS) was established by Law No. 1313 (30 December 2021) to replace the State Inspector's Service, becoming operational 1 March 2022. An independent body not subordinate to any official, it investigated torture, ill-treatment, abuse of official authority, unlawful detention, and election offenses committed by law-enforcement officers. Its Head was selected via competitive commission, presented to the Prime Minister, and its budget was protected from reduction without the Head's consent. The SIS held full investigative powers (equivalent to criminal investigators) and was an IPCAN member. Parliament abolished it effective 1 July 2025, transferring its core functions to the Prosecutor General's Office, reversing the independence reforms begun in 2019.
Independence Scorecard
| Appointment | Mixed (multi-branch) |
|---|---|
| Term length | 6 years |
| Removal standard | For cause only |
| Budget independence | Legislative line item |
| Subpoena power | Yes |
| Compel testimony | Yes |
| Records access | Full access |
| Public reports required | Yes |
| Pre-publication review | None — reports published directly |
Statute
- Name
- Law of Georgia on the Special Investigation Service (Law No. 1313 of 30 December 2021, as amended by Law No. 1571 of 24 May 2022)
- Citation
- Law of Georgia No. 1313 of 30 December 2021
- Full text
- Full text of law →
Jurisdiction scope
Investigates crimes committed by law-enforcement officers and their equivalents: torture, inhuman or degrading treatment, abuse of official authority, unlawful detention, official forgery, and election-related offenses. Operational 1 March 2022; abolished effective 1 July 2025 (functions transferred to Prosecutor General's Office).