The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) warned participants of the protest scheduled for February 2 that blocking the objects of strategic or special significance is punishable by the Criminal Code of Georgia and calls on demonstrators to refrain from unlawful actions and act within the law.

“Based on the information released via social networks and various media platforms, society is informed that a protest rally is scheduled for February 2 across central roads and highways.

We would like to inform the protest organizers and participants that roads of international significance and highways represent the objects on the list of Strategic or Special Significance based on #361, October 23, 2024 decree of the Georgian government.

Blocking objects of strategic or special significance is punishable by Article 222 of the Criminal Code of Georgia and envisages imprisonment for up to 2 years while committing the crime in a group is punished by a jail sentence with a term of 2 to 4 years.

“We call on the protest organizers and participants to refrain from unlawful activities and express their protest within Georgian legislation, otherwise, the police will take all adequate legal measures.

Hereby, we would like to clarify that the list of objects of strategic or special significance comprises roads and highways and includes Tbilisi entrances and exits, namely the territory where the protest is scheduled for February 2,” reads the MIA statement.