The illegitimate Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, has announced that by the end of next week, a law will be adopted prohibiting participants in rallies from covering their faces. The law is expected to be implemented by the end of December.
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At a government administration briefing before the announcement of a new law, Kobakhidze addressed the attack on the camera crew of the TV company Pirveli by masked individuals. He described the incident as a provocation "whose only purpose could be to artificially escalate the situation."
"The investigation into this crime has commenced, and I sincerely hope the perpetrator will be identified soon. Due to the presence of so many masked individuals, it is challenging for the Ministry of Internal Affairs to respond effectively. It is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between protesters, non-protesters, and others," said Kobakhidze. "We will pass a law that will prohibit participants in gatherings, including those in counter-demonstrations, from covering their faces. This will be a very important law to help prevent violence during such events."
According to Kobakhidze, similar laws exist in many EU member states, and adopting such a law is essential for violence prevention in the country. "Technically, we can organize everything to ensure the law is passed by the end of next week and fully implemented by the end of the month," he added.
On December 7, during the tenth day of pro-European demonstrations in Tbilisi, the camera crew of the Pirveli television company was attacked and physically assaulted by masked individuals during a live broadcast. The incident occurred while journalist Maka Chikhladze and cameraman Giorgi Shekiriuli were documenting violence by so-called Titushky against citizens heading to the rally. According to the head of Pirveli’s information service, Nodar Meladze, there is information suggesting that the masked attackers were special forces disguised in civilian clothing.
On November 29, masked special forces reportedly assaulted Formula journalist Guram Rogava while he was working on a live broadcast.
Masked men dressed in black, including special forces, have been brutally beating citizens during the demonstrations. Their identities are nearly impossible to determine.
