Several Demonstrants Arrested for Blocking Rustaveli Avenue
The Georgian Parliament has adopted legislative amendments signed by the President on October 16. Under the new provisions, violations of the rules governing public assemblies are now classified as criminal offences, carrying penalties of up to one or two years in prison.
The amendments, which have already entered into force, also establish administrative penalties of up to 15 days of detention, without the possibility of a fine, for wearing a mask at a rally, possessing tear gas, or blocking a road.
Law enforcement authorities have begun implementing the new regulations. Over the past several days, police have detained numerous individuals participating in protests by blocking Rustaveli Avenue.
On October 24, participants of the previous day’s rally were detained throughout the day. The names of those detained have been circulated on social media and reportedly include Zurab Tsetskhladze, the father of political prisoner Zviad Tsetskhladze; David Mshvenieradze, the son of lawyer Giorgi Mshvenieradze; Tengo Kirtadze, a leader of the Federalists Party; Giga Lemonjava, a leader of the Droa Party; writer Zviad Kvaratskhelia; Lika Basilaia-Shavgulidze, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Georgian Public Broadcasting and others.
Former Prime Minister Gharibashvili Granted Bail of 1 Million GEL
Former Prime Minister and chairman of Georgian Dream Irakli Gharibashvili has been granted bail of 1 million GEL as a preventive measure in a case concerning the alleged legalisation of particularly large sums of income.
In addition to the bail, Gharibashvili’s passport has been confiscated, and he has been prohibited from leaving the country until a final verdict is reached. Prosecutor Natia Tatiashvili stated that there is a “risk of committing new crimes, destroying evidence, or influencing witnesses,” which formed the basis of the prosecution’s request for bail and the passport seizure.
The defence did not contest the prosecution’s motion, and Gharibashvili accepted the preventive measure, saying during the hearing: “I agree, of course. I have nothing to say.”
According to Prosecutor General Giorgi Gvarakidze, during his time in office, Gharibashvili “secretly and covertly engaged in various business activities and received particularly large amounts of income of illegal origin.” Gvarakidze added that Gharibashvili had submitted false asset declarations, claiming that substantial sums were received annually as gifts from family members.
The State Security Service reported that searches of the residences and personal belongings of former Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili, former Head of the State Security Service Grigol Liluashvili, former Prosecutor General Otar Partskhaladze, and eight individuals associated with them resulted in the seizure of cash totaling USD 7,002,200 and GEL 136,000, along with 198 pieces of jewelry and watches, valuable paintings, several thousand pages of documentation, 50 mobile phones, and 119 electronic devices.
Lelo to Appeal Planned Lawsuit on Opposition Party Ban to the Constitutional Court
The opposition party Lelo–Strong Georgia has announced its intention to appeal to the Constitutional Court against the Georgian Dream party’s forthcoming lawsuit seeking the banning of opposition parties. The statement was made by Lelo’s Secretary General, Irakli Kupradze.
“The anti-Georgian Dream continues to persecute and dismantle democracy and multi-party pluralism in Georgia. Ivanishvili’s Russian directive serves only one purpose—to destroy democratic institutions and limit citizens’ opportunities for democratic and European development. In the coming days, we will file a lawsuit with the Constitutional Court, requesting the annulment of anti-constitutional provisions and the activation of a temporary suspension mechanism,” Kupradze said.
He added that Lelo also plans to file a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights.
On October 14, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that the Georgian Dream party intends to submit a constitutional lawsuit to ban opposition parties. The proposed legislation would amend Article 36 of the Law “On Political Unions of Citizens” by adding a new paragraph allowing the Constitutional Court to ban any political party whose declared purpose, core activities, or composition “essentially repeat” those of a previously banned party.