President refrains from veto on Administrative Offenses Code amendments
President refrains from veto on Administrative Offenses Code amendments

Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili will not veto amendments to the Administrative Offenses Code, the President stated at a briefing on Friday.

Zourabichvili stated that she agreed with the opposition’s remarks but concluded that the legal basis for vetoing the bill is insufficient.

“The legal basis for the veto is insufficient. A similar process, hearing and reconciling all parties’ positions, will allow the President to use this tool effectively in future if necessary,” President said.

Salome Zourabichvili met with Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri and Georgian Dream ruling party members on May 7. The meeting addressed the amendments to the Administrative Offenses Code.

Representatives of the opposition parties demanded the Georgian President to veto the bill.

Parliament has approved amendments to the Administrative Offenses Code. According to the amendments, disobedience/insult to a policeman is punishable by a fine of GEL 2,000 to GEL 3,000 or administrative detention for up to 15 days, while repeating the violation will result in a GEL 3,500-4,500 fine or administrative arrest for a period of 10 days to 15 days.