International legal experts share their experiences with AUCA students

October 24, 2016

On October 12, 2016, students from the American University of Central Asia (AUCA) met with Theofili Chatzispyrou, a lawyer from Thessaloniki, Melina Lavzentiadou, a lawyer from Athens, and Dr. Thomas Nappert. The guests had a conversation with students about juridical systems in Greece and the Kyrgyz Republic, sharing their experience, stories, and relevant cases.

“[Talking with the students] was a good experience. The students here have a very strong desire to study. It was very good to share our experiences and learn about the investigatory procedures in the Kyrgyz Republic. Moreover, we were very happy to interact with young people and hear their opinions. We gave them a brief overview about how lawyers do their work, and I they can apply this knowledge in a positive way,” said Theofili Chatzispyrou.

Students listened carefully to the international lawyers and asked many questions.

Marzhana Kadyrova, a senior in International Business Law Department said, “the lecture was held as a part of our course in Criminology. In the course, we talk about the problems within criminal trials, like how interrogators can exert undue pressure on suspects during an examination. Perpetrators of suspect intimidation are seldom convicted in the Kyrgyz Republic; according to unofficial statistics, only 10 out of 200 such cases are investigated. In Europe, these cases are examined without fail.

“Also, we learned that in Greece, the prosecutor is on the same level as judge. In Kyrgyzstan, things don’t work that way; the weight of the prosecutors is equal to that of the lawyers. In general, it was interesting and I liked it. The lecture helped me understand what is different in Kyrgyzstan, and how these differences can help us examine the situation in our country.”

Theofili Chatzispyrou, lawyer from Thessaloniki, Greece. Chatzispyrou has an LL.M degree in Criminal Law and Criminology and is a candidate for PhD.
Melina Lavzentiadou, lawyer from Athens, Greece, runs a private law practice. 

Doctor Thomas Nappert from Munich, Germany, provides his legal counseling services worldwide, including in Jordan, Libya, Yemen and Armenia. His legal work spans international human rights, judicial reform, social security and legislation.  

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