In 1993 Georgia introduced a moratorium that was lifted...

In 1993 Georgia introduced a moratorium that was lifted for a while in 1995. This about-turn was linked to the situation in the conflict zones of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. On December 10, 1996, President Eduard Shevardnazde declared another moratorium on executions. In July 1997, as he is empowered to do, President Shevardnadze had commuted the 54 outstanding death sentences to 20-year prison sentences. The death penalty was abolished when the Parliament adopted a new Criminal Code on November 11, 1997. In its place, Georgia established a life prison sentence. The last execution was carried out in February 1995.