Georgian Dream Introduces Stricter Penalties for Protest Violations
By Liza Mchedlidze
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Georgian Dream's ruling parliamentary majority has proposed new measures to tighten penalties for certain actions during public demonstrations. Parliamentary majority leader Irakli Kirtskhalia announced the amendments during a briefing following the majority's session, detailing rules that would increase administrative and criminal consequences for participants and organizers of assemblies.
Under the proposed changes, individuals who cover their faces with masks, carry tear gas or poisonous substances, block roads, or set up temporary structures during an assembly could face administrative detention of up to 15 days. Organizers of such actions would face detention of up to 20 days.
The amendments also address participation in demonstrations that the Ministry of Internal Affairs has ordered to disperse. "Participation in an assembly subject to termination will result in administrative detention for up to 60 days in the first instance," Kirtskhalia said. The same penalty would apply to anyone found carrying weapons, pyrotechnics, or other objects that could be used to harm the life and health of others during an assembly.
The proposed legislation includes provisions for repeat offenders. A second violation would trigger criminal liability with imprisonment of up to one year, while a third or subsequent offense could result in a sentence of up to two years.
Additionally, a new article would be added to the Criminal Code establishing criminal responsibility for individuals who commit repeated offenses against law enforcement officers or fail to comply with their lawful orders. "Such a person will be sentenced to imprisonment for up to one year, and in case of recidivism, imprisonment for up to two years. No other type of punishment will be applied," Kirtskhalia said.
Kirtskhalia emphasized that the amendments aim to ensure public safety during demonstrations while providing clear legal consequences for violent or unlawful behavior. He said the changes are intended to prevent the escalation of dangerous situations and to protect law enforcement personnel and the general public.
The draft legislation will now be reviewed by relevant committees before being brought to a vote in parliament. If approved, the new measures would expand both administrative and criminal liability for individuals engaging in prohibited activities during protests, including repeated offenses, and strengthen legal mechanisms to address confrontations with law enforcement.
