Now you see people blocking the road with their legs spread out, because there are no people. 20 people cannot abuse a city of 1.5 million people, – the Speaker of the Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, told journalists about the planned legislative changes.
According to him, everyone has the opportunity to express their opinion and their protest.
“It is impossible for 20 people to abuse a city of a million and a half. Gatherings and demonstrations have their own rules. Everyone has the opportunity to express their opinion, their protest. When there is a number that fits in the area adjacent to the road, on the sidewalk, etc., they can express themselves there. Now you see them blocking the road with their legs spread wide, because there are no people. 20 people cannot abuse a city of 1.5 million. We see that photos have been circulated that they cannot even tie a chain.
The question is simple, does anyone want to express their protest? – Please express it. Does the law say that 20 people have the right to block one of the important roads? – It say that no, it is prohibited! We are introducing it so that everyone obeys the law. Society is agreed that whoever wants to protest can do so. If there are not enough people, they should not block the street. The regulation is clear. For those who violate this regulation, it is important that there is a reaction to such a crime that has a preventive purpose. The reaction, the sanction should be such that it ensures the prevention of administrative misconduct or crime.
We see that the existing legislation could not ensure prevention, that is why this decision was made by the parliament to tighten the policy in this regard,” Papuashvili said.
For information, a number of changes will be made to the Administrative Offenses and Criminal Codes. Irakli Kirtskhalia, the leader of the parliamentary majority, announced this at a briefing after the majority session.
According to the amendments, the first instance of a participant in a gathering or demonstration covering their face with a mask, possessing tear gas and/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 an organizer, administrative detention for up to 20 days.
According to Kirtskhalia, participation in such a gathering or demonstration, which is subject to termination at the request of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, will result in administrative detention for up to 60 days in the first instance, and administrative detention for up to 60 days will also be imposed on a person who, during a gathering, possesses a weapon, pyrotechnics, or an object that is used to harm the life and health of other persons. Repeated commission of such prohibited acts will result in criminal liability for a term of up to one year, and the third and each subsequent similar unlawful act for a term of up to two years.
Also, a new article is being added to the Criminal Code, which will impose criminal liability on a person who insults a law enforcement officer for the third time or disobeys his lawful order.
Shalva Papuashvili: Now you see people blocking the road with their legs spread out, because there are no people – 20 people cannot abuse a city of 1.5 million people
