Do not confuse contradiction with intentional wrongdoing
A refusal may be lawful where privilege or self-incrimination protection applies, but compulsory attendance and unjustified refusal are different issues.
The proposition that needs proof
What is the person's status, relationship, summons and asserted legal ground for declining an answer?
Every version should be examined with the warning, translation, interview conditions and information available at that time.
Create a version-and-contact matrix
Summons, warning, family relationship proof, disputed questions, court record, lawyer advice and any immunity or protection decision.
- PreserveSecure every original recording, text and version.
- CompareMark exact additions, omissions and contradictions without paraphrase.
- ExplainTest memory, translation, disclosure, pressure and objective corroboration.
Articles that may enter the qualification
Refusal of a witness or victim to give testimony
The person's procedural status, lawful privilege and the statutory exceptions must be checked before treating a refusal as criminal conduct.
Read full Article 371 text on this pageRead the relevant Criminal Code provisions
The panel below reproduces the available official English wording for convenient reading. Check the current Georgian text and the exact article part before relying on it, because later amendments may not yet appear in translation.
Article 371Refusal of a witness or victim to give testimony+
Refusal of a witness or victim to provide a testimony, –
shall be punished by a fine or community service for one hundred and twenty to one hundred and eighty hours or by corrective labour for up to one year or by imprisonment for up to six years.
Note: A person who has refused to give testimony against himself/herself or against his/her close relatives, also a victim of human trafficking shall be discharged from criminal liability for a term of the reflection period.
The consolidated official source is listed in the source section at the end of this guide.
Raise the legal basis before the answer is compelled and avoid a blanket refusal without analysing each question.
Primary sources for this guide
Before acting, compare this guide with the current Georgian text and the exact document served in the case. The official English translation may not include the latest amendment.
Criminal Procedure Code of Georgia↗︎Official consolidated Criminal Code — current text & PDF↗︎Constitution of Georgia↗︎