MIA: No permit required for rallies, organizers must provide advance notice

The Ministry of Internal Affairs does not issue permits for holding assemblies or demonstrations, and its main function is to balance the freedom of assembly and demonstration with the rights of people who live, work or conduct business in the areas where such gatherings are held, the ministry said in a statement.

According to the ministry, the Law of Georgia on Assemblies and Demonstrations requires organizers to provide advance notice to the ministry if an assembly or demonstration is held on a roadway used by pedestrians or vehicles, or if it obstructs their movement.

“Accordingly, the responsible person is required to submit an appropriate, signed notification to the Patrol Police Department containing the data and information prescribed by law. The notification submitted by Irakli Pavlenishvili, Chairman of the United National Movement’s Governing Council, on September 25, 2026, was not prepared in accordance with the requirements of the law and did not contain the information prescribed by law.

“In particular, the notification did not specify the estimated number of participants. In addition, the notification was not signed by Besarion Gedenidze, the person responsible for organizing and holding the assembly/demonstration, as required under Article 8, Paragraph 4 of the Law of Georgia on Assemblies and Demonstrations,” the ministry said.

The ministry also said the Patrol Police had informed Pavlenishvili in writing that Tbilisoba 2026 events would be held at various locations in Tbilisi on October 3-4, with Europe Square and Rike Park among the main locations.

“Given the above, the relevant services of Tbilisi City Hall have already begun preparations for the Tbilisoba celebrations. Accordingly, in order to ensure that the holding of an assembly or demonstration does not interfere with the normal functioning of bodies, enterprises, institutions and organizations, the unimpeded movement of people or vehicles, or other human rights and freedoms, the organizers of the rally were instructed to consider whether it would be appropriate to change the location and/or time of the assembly/demonstration,” the ministry said.

For context, Irakli Pavlenishvili, Chairman of the United National Movement’s Temporary Governing Council, said the Interior Ministry had informed him that a rally could not be held at Rike Park, which he described as “absolutely unlawful.”