The Parliament adopted, in its first reading, a legislative package aimed at further tightening the rules related to assemblies and demonstrations.
The planned amendments to the “Criminal Code” and the “Administrative Offenses Code” will be reviewed under an expedited procedure. The second and third readings, as well as the adoption of the legislative package, are scheduled for the plenary session on October 16.
According to the amendments, covering one’s face with a mask, possessing tear gas or toxic substances, blocking a road, or setting up temporary structures during an assembly or demonstration will, on the first offense, result in administrative detention for up to 15 days. If the offender is an organizer of the event, the administrative detention could extend to up to 20 days.
Participation in an assembly or demonstration that is subject to termination upon the request of the Ministry of Internal Affairs will, on the first offense, lead to administrative detention for up to 60 days. Similarly, a person who possesses a weapon, pyrotechnics, or any object used to harm the life or health of others during an assembly will face administrative detention for up to 60 days. Repeated violations of these prohibited actions will result in criminal liability with imprisonment for up to one year, while a third or any subsequent identical offense will lead to imprisonment for up to two years.
Additionally, a new article will be added to the “Criminal Code,” imposing criminal liability on individuals who, for the third time, insult a law enforcement officer or fail to comply with their lawful orders.
The authors and initiators of the legislative package are deputies from “Georgian Dream.”
Parliament adopts legislative package in first reading to further tighten rules on assemblies and demonstrations
