The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) explained the requirements established by the Law of Georgia “On Assemblies and Manifestations.”

In its statement, the MIA called on rally organizers and participants to abstain from illegal actions and ungrounded blocking of the motorway, otherwise, it warned that the MIA would act within the frames of its mandate granted by law.

“As is known to the public, the legislative amendments approved by the Parliament of Georgia entered into force on October 17, 2025. We would like to clarify once again what these amendments stand for.

According to the newly adopted amendments of the law, the following actions will result in administrative detention for up to 60 days during a gathering-demonstration:

Possession of firearms and/or cold weapons, explosives, flammable substances, radioactive substances or pyrotechnic products;

Possession of a prohibited object or substance;

In cases defined by the legislation of Georgia, participation in a gathering that has been terminated at the request of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

For participants of the gathering, the following actions will result in administrative detention for up to 15 days, and for organizers – up to 20 days:

Covering face with a mask or other means;

Possession of tear gas and/or poisonous substances;

Artificially blocking the motorway, unless the number of people participating in the assembly requires so;

Setting up a temporary structure that poses a threat or prevents the assembly and/or the police from maintaining public order and safety.

A person committing any of the above mentioned actions may be subject to an administrative detention for the first time, in case of repeated offense (the person committing the same violation within 1 year), criminal responsibility may be imposed, envisioning the imprisonment for a term of up to 1 year, and up to 2 years, if committed the violation multiple times.

In addition, disobedience to the police and/or insulting a police officer committed for the third or more times will result in criminal responsibility. The punishment for the above mentioned action is imprisonment for a term of up to one year, and if repeated – the term of imprisonment will be doubled.

We once again call on the participants and organizers of manifestation to express their protest in compliance with the requirements established by the Law of Georgia “On Assemblies and Manifestations”, abstain from illegal actions and ungrounded blocking of the motorway.

If otherwise, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will act within the frames of its mandate granted by law, identify all violators and take appropriate measures against them in full compliance of the law,” reads the statement.