Georgia bans masks, lasers, and fireworks at public gatherings, fines skyrocket
Georgia outlaws masks and fireworks
Amid mass pro-European protests in Georgia, the parliament—comprised solely of ruling party members—fast-tracked amendments to several laws on December 13, significantly curbing the rights of participants in public gatherings.
Key restrictions include:
- Prohibiting face coverings, lasers, and fireworks at public events;
- Drastically increasing fines for disobeying police orders and blocking roads;
- Simplifying hiring and firing processes for employees in government agencies.
Experts suggest the last measure is specifically aimed at the law enforcement system, which is facing staff shortages during the ongoing large-scale protests in Tbilisi and other cities across Georgia.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili and the opposition do not consider the newly adopted amendments legitimate.
For nearly two weeks, pro-European protests have continued in Tbilisi and other cities across Georgia. This latest wave of demonstrations began on November 28, when Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that negotiations on the country’s accession to the European Union would be paused until 2028.
That same evening, President Salome Zourabichvili urged citizens, diplomats, and the opposition “not to surrender the country’s pro-European course and to resist until the end.”
Since then, thousands have gathered daily on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi, demanding the government return to the path of European integration, hold new parliamentary elections, and release those detained for political reasons during the protests.
From November 28 to today, authorities have detained over 400 people, with 30 of them facing criminal charges. None of the detained include law enforcement officers, despite hundreds of protestors being hospitalized with injuries, including more than 60 journalists.
The resistance movement is growing, with hundreds of civil servants, diplomats, journalists from pro-government media, businesses, hospitals, universities, schools, theatres, and museums joining the cause.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the rushed amendments adopted by the ruling party’s parliament, which were passed so hastily that deputies didn’t even have time to discuss them.
Ban on lasers, fireworks, and masks – key tools of self-protection and expression during pro-European protests
These restrictions are introduced through amendments to the Law on Assemblies and Manifestations:
●Participants in mass protests are now prohibited from covering their faces in any way. Violators will be fined 2,000 lari (approximately $700).
●Также отныне запрещено использовать пиротехнику и лазеры, штраф такой же — 2 000 лари [примерно $700].
The list of individuals allowed to cover their faces due to professional duties will be determined by the Minister of Internal Affairs, who will also issue the necessary permits.
During the large-scale pro-European protests in Tbilisi, demonstrators were violently dispersed nightly for a week using water cannons, tear gas, and pepper spray.
As a result, protesters began attending rallies wearing protective clothing and masks to shield themselves from the substances used by the government. The exact nature of these substances remains unknown. Protesters report intensified allergic reactions, facial burning, and respiratory issues.
Doctors are urging the Ministry of Internal Affairs to disclose the substances used to disperse the protests.
“The mask ban indirectly restricts the freedom of assembly. Authorities are essentially threatening people with fines for attending protests at all, as they would have to stand without masks and inhale the gas released against them,” Saba Brachveli, a lawyer from the Open Society Foundation, told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Georgian Service.
Fireworks now banned at protests and increasingly difficult to import
From now on, importing, exporting, and selling pyrotechnic products in Georgia requires a special permit or license. Corresponding amendments have been made to the Georgian laws on “Licenses and Permits” and “License and Permit Fees.”
The restrictions were introduced after protesters began launching fireworks in response to special forces’ use of water cannons and tear gas.
The following restrictions have been implemented:
● Import and export penalties: Anyone importing or exporting pyrotechnics without a license will face a fine of 5,000 lari (approximately $1,800). The same fine applies to manufacturing and selling pyrotechnics without a license.
Additionally, the Ministry of Internal Affairs reserves the right to confiscate the pyrotechnics. Repeat violations will result in a fine of 6,000 lari (approximately $2,150).
Permit/license violations: Violating the terms of a permit or license will result in a fine of 2,000 lari (approximately $700). The Ministry of Internal Affairs may confiscate the pyrotechnics.
If the permit/license holder fails to comply with the conditions within the stipulated time, they will face a triple fine of 6,000 lari (approximately $2,150). A third violation will result in the revocation of the permit/license.
● Illegal sales: Selling pyrotechnic products to individuals not authorized to possess or use them under the law will result in a fine of 2,000 lari (approximately $700). For repeat violations, the fine increases to 3,000 lari (approximately $1,100).
● Unauthorized possession and use: Individuals not authorized to possess, purchase, or use pyrotechnic products will face a fine of 1,000 lari (approximately $400) and confiscation of the products. Repeat violations will result in a fine of 2,000 lari (approximately $700).
Increased fines for disobeying police and blocking roads during public gatherings
On December 13, Parliament expedited and approved a decision to increase administrative fines. Amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses were passed unanimously in the third reading.
The list of changes is extensive.
Increased fines for damaging the city’s appearance:
● Unauthorized graffiti, drawings, or symbols on building facades, shop windows, fences, columns, or trees will incur a fine of 1,000 lari (approximately $400).
● The same fine applies to placing posters, slogans, or banners in unauthorized locations. Repeat violations will result in a fine of 2,000 lari (approximately $700).
● Writing or drawing on the facades of administrative buildings or their surrounding areas will incur a fine of 2,000 lari (approximately $700). Repeat offenses will lead to a fine of 3,000 lari (approximately $1,100). In severe cases, courts may impose up to 15 days of administrative detention.
● Actions in cultural heritage zones will result in a 2,000-lari fine (approximately $700), increasing to 3,500 lari (approximately $1,200) for repeat violations. Failure to address the issue within ten days will result in an additional fine of 1,000 lari (approximately $400).
Previously, fines for such violations were 50 lari ($18) in rural areas (a 20-fold increase) and 200 lari ($75) in Tbilisi (a five-fold increase).
● Amended vandalism penalties. Intentional damage to infrastructure, such as road signs, traffic lights, or surveillance cameras, will now result in a 1,000-lari fine (approximately $400). Repeat violations will incur a fine of 2,000 lari (approximately $800) or up to five days of administrative detention.
Previously, the fine for such actions was 300 lari (approximately $100).
Stricter penalties for creating traffic jams.
● Intentional road blockages with vehicles or participation in group movements will incur a fine of 1,000 lari (approximately $400) and a one-year suspension of driving privileges.
Previously, this offense only carried a fine.
Increased fines for violating assembly and demonstration rules.
● Protesters face increased fines from 500 lari ($177) to 5,000 lari ($1,770), while organizers may now be fined 15,000 lari (approximately $5,330), up from 5,000 lari.
This provision is frequently used against demonstrators accused of blocking roads.
New provisions added to the Code of Administrative Offensives.
● A fine of 2,000 lari (approximately $800) has been introduced for wearing clothing or accessories resembling police uniforms.
● Parents of minors who fail to comply with lawful orders from law enforcement officers may be fined between 100 lari ($35) and 300 lari ($105).
What other urgent amendments is Georgian Dream introducing?
Police employment without competition
The process for joining the police force has been altered, granting the Minister of Internal Affairs the authority to hire candidates without a special competition and independently set the rules and conditions for police employment.
The opposition and experts believe this move aims to quickly bolster the ranks of law enforcement, who are reportedly exhausted from dealing with protesters.
Simplified dismissal of civil servants
Another amendment affects civil servants. Following widespread criticism from hundreds of officials against “Georgian Dream’s” decision to halt Georgia’s EU integration process, the parliament introduced changes to the Law on Public Service, simplifying the dismissal of employees during reorganizations.
“These changes allow the party to render hundreds of undesirable individuals unemployed and stripped of social protections,” lawyer Nika Simonishvili told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Amendments to the electoral code
Georgian Dream has also expedited changes to the electoral code. The amendments reduce the number of proportional representatives in city councils while increasing the number of majoritarian representatives.
Past local election results show that the ruling party finds it easier to elect majoritarian representatives.
How do human rights advocates assess these amendments?
Georgia’s Public Defender, Levan Ioseliani, stated that some of the amendments fail to meet human rights protection standards, and their expedited passage without public consultation or expert input undermines the legislative process.
Ioseliani also criticized the changes to the public service law, highlighting that civil servants dismissed due to re-organizations will no longer have the right to demand reinstatement, placing them in an unequal position compared to those dismissed on other grounds.
Regarding the ban on masks at protests, Ioseliani noted that while similar restrictions exist in many Western countries, most of their legislation, international human rights standards, and European Court of Human Rights rulings consider a complete ban on masks an excessive measure.
He described the increased fines as a “heavy burden on individuals.”
The laws passed in an expedited manner will take effect once signed by the president. Since Salome Zourabichvili is unlikely to sign them, the laws will likely bear the signature of Shalva Papuashvili, the parliament speaker appointed by “Georgian Dream.”
