Amendments have been made to the Code of Administrative Offenses and the Criminal Code in this regard.
According to the amendments, the first instance of a participant in an assembly or demonstration covering his face with a mask, possessing tear gas or poisonous substances, blocking a road, or erecting a temporary structure will result in administrative detention for up to 15 days, and if the violator is the organizer – administrative detention for up to 20 days.
Participation in a gathering or demonstration, which is subject to termination at the request of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, will result in administrative detention for a term of up to 60 days in the first case. Also, administrative detention for a term of up to 60 days will be imposed on a person who, during the gathering, possesses a weapon, pyrotechnics or an object that is used to harm the life and health of other persons.
As for criminal liability and the amendments made to the Criminal Code in this regard, according to the Georgian Dream draft law, repeated commission of the above-mentioned prohibited actions will result in criminal liability for a term of up to one year, and the third and each subsequent similar action – for a term of up to two years.
In addition, a new article has been added to the Criminal Code, which imposes criminal liability on a person who insults a law enforcement officer for the third time or disobeys his lawful order.
Criminal liability for violation of the rules related to assemblies and demonstrations will also apply to minors. In the event of such a violation, minors will be subject to a criminal fine, correctional labor for a term of up to 1 year, or imprisonment for a term of up to 1 year.
Parliament approves legislative package tightening rules and legal responsibilities related to assemblies and demonstrations in the third reading
