Fourteen people nabbed in Tbilisi after new protest law takes effect

Over the past two days, Georgian police have detained 14 individuals in Tbilisi for violating regulations governing public meetings and demonstrations, the Director of the Tbilisi Police Department, Vazha Siradze, announced at a briefing.

Siradze recalled that legislative amendments tightening the rules for organising and conducting assemblies and demonstrations came into force on October 17, 2025.

According to him, all 14 detainees were charged with violating the established procedures for holding public gatherings under the Code of Administrative Offences. One of those detained has been transferred to the Centre for Mental Health and Drug Prevention, where he will undergo compulsory treatment.

“The Interior Ministry once again calls on the organisers and participants of rallies to comply with the requirements of the law. Otherwise, law enforcement officers will act in accordance with legal procedures — they will identify all violators and take the measures prescribed by law,” Siradze stated.

He also reported that over the past three days, the Interior Ministry had documented 53 instances of law violations by protesters, 42 of which were classified as criminal offences. Some of the suspects have already been detained, while the remaining cases will be reviewed under administrative proceedings in the coming days.

Siradze added that police officers at the scene had repeatedly urged demonstrators not to obstruct traffic, but participants ignored the warnings and continued their unlawful actions.

By Tamilla Hasanova