Internal Affairs Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri has warned citizens ahead of the planned demonstration in front of Parliament that anyone attempting to block the building will face the full force of the law, including relevant articles of the Criminal Code.
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"Based on both public statements made by politicians and operational information, we are aware that the gathering planned for the next two days is intended to become violent and illegal. Participants are expected to attempt to block the Parliament of Georgia and prevent its members and employees from entering the building. We would like to issue a warning regarding this matter.
According to Part 2 of Article 222 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, the group blocking of an object of special importance, which has impeded or could impede the normal operation of this object, is punishable by imprisonment for up to 4 years.
In recent years, a disproportionately lenient approach has been established regarding the aforementioned article of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which, as experience has shown, had a negative impact on the prevention of the corresponding crime. Therefore, in the interest of the state, we consider it our duty to apply this article proportionally to law violators and, in the event of a crime, to implement Article 222 of the Criminal Code of Georgia without exception," stated Gomeluri.
A few hours prior to the Internal Affairs Minister, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze also issued a warning to participants of today's rally. The Prime Minister referred to them as "violent youth groups organized by the radical opposition and financed from abroad," alleging that they are planning "violent actions" against the Parliament and the police in the coming days. Kobakhidze stated that "everyone will be held accountable under the law for any acts of violence."
Tomorrow, at 9 o'clock in the morning, the parliament will discuss the Russian Law in the third reading and then approve it during the plenary session. The rally against the Russian Law is scheduled for 22:00 today, and demonstrators will spend the night near the Parliament.
