Georgian Dream moves to further tighten protest rules
Tightening of protest laws in Georgia
“If protesters refuse to hold a rally or demonstration at a location proposed by the Interior Ministry, they will face up to 15 days of administrative detention. A repeat offence will bring criminal charges, including up to one year in prison,” Irakli Kirtzkhalia, an MP from Georgian Dream, said at a briefing.
The draft law also brings back a requirement for organisers to notify the authorities five days before holding a rally or demonstration. Georgia’s Constitutional Court ruled this rule unconstitutional on 14 December 2023, saying it made spontaneous assemblies impossible.
What other changes do the amendments introduce?
➜ Organisers of both spontaneous and planned assemblies and demonstrations would be required to notify the Interior Ministry rather than local authorities.
➜ After issuing a warning, the Interior Ministry would be authorised to propose an alternative location or format for an assembly or demonstration if the planned form, venue or procedure is deemed to pose a threat to public order, the functioning of state and public institutions, businesses or transport, or to the free movement, rights and freedoms of others.
➜ The amendments would require advance notification to the Interior Ministry if an assembly or demonstration takes place in areas used by pedestrians or vehicles, or if it obstructs traffic or the movement of people. Notification would need to be submitted to the Patrol Police Department at least five days before each assembly or demonstration.
➜ If participants in a spontaneous or planned assembly refuse to move to the location proposed by the Interior Ministry and continue their gathering elsewhere, thereby restricting the rights and freedoms of others, individual participants may face up to 15 days of administrative detention, while organisers may face up to 20 days.
➜ A repeat offence would trigger criminal liability under Article 347 of the Criminal Code, carrying a prison sentence of up to one year for both participants and organisers.
On 16 October 2025, the ruling Georgian Dream party approved another set of restrictions targeting protesters. Under the new measures, first-time offences such as wearing masks during demonstrations or blocking roads are punishable by up to 15 days of administrative detention, while repeat violations carry criminal liability. The government introduced amendments to both the Administrative Offences Code and the Criminal Code.
Amnesty International has warned that the wave of arrests and the tightening of legislation pose a threat to freedom of expression and assembly.
Despite the new restrictive laws, protests have continued, and police have already detained dozens of demonstrators on administrative charges.
Tightening of protest laws in Georgia
