PM urges all stakeholders to avoid threatening constitutional order; warns of strict response if state system and law confronted

“Radical political forces have announced a rally for tomorrow, Election Day. It is self-evident that the purpose of the rally is not only unconstitutional, but any attempt to fulfil it may also be qualified as a criminal offence,” Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated at today’s briefing.

As the head of government noted, the declared purpose of the rally is to overthrow or violently change Georgia’s constitutional order.

“As you will recall, radical political forces have announced a rally for tomorrow, the declared purpose of which is to overthrow or violently change Georgia’s constitutional order. Responsibility for organising this rally, or support for its declared purpose, has been assumed by Unity-National Movement, Ahali, Lelo, and several smaller political parties. Furthermore, support for the rally and its purpose has been expressed by a whole series of radical and extremist organisations and groups, the vast majority of which are financed from foreign sources. It is self-evident that the purpose of the rally is not only unconstitutional, but any attempt to fulfil it may also be qualified as a criminal offence,” the Prime Minister stated.

According to Kobakhidze, given the pre-declared purpose of the rally, any act of violence committed by its participants will fall under articles of Georgia’s Criminal Code that are more severe than those applied to perpetrators of violence during last year’s rallies.

“Accordingly, if the latter received sentences of between two and four-and-a-half years’ imprisonment for violent acts committed last year, in the event of violent crimes being committed tomorrow, the sentences imposed may be considerably more severe. I remind you here that several days ago, one individual was held accountable for disseminating a video appeal containing threats to attack polling stations. I wish to remind everyone that the Criminal Code provides for imprisonment of up to four years for this category of crime,” Irakli Kobakhidze stated.

“We advise no one to take risks and confront the state system and the law, from which every lawbreaker will receive the strictest response,” Georgia’s Prime Minister stated at the Government Administration.

The Prime Minister went on to say that Georgia will continue its peaceful and stable development, for which the Government of Georgia and each of its agencies assumes full responsibility.

“Since 2012, Georgia has been a democratic state, and here everyone has the right to peaceful assembly. However, we warn everyone once again that any violence will be met with the strictest lawful response,” Irakli Kobakhidze stated.

Furthermore, the head of government called upon all political parties and other associations to distance themselves from an assembly whose purpose is to overthrow or violently change Georgia’s constitutional order.

“We call upon all political parties and other associations, whilst there is still time, to actively distance themselves from a rally whose purpose is to overthrow or violently change Georgia’s constitutional order. I wish to remind everyone that Georgia today, its constitutional system and state institutions, including law enforcement structures, are stronger and more united than ever before.

Consequently, we advise no one to take risks and confront the state system and the law, from which every lawbreaker will receive the strictest response. Georgia will continue its peaceful and stable development, for which the Government of Georgia and each of its agencies assumes full responsibility,” Irakli Kobakhidze declared.