Georgian Interior Ministry warns activists against blocking key highways in planned Tbilisi protests

The Georgian Interior Ministry has warned activists who may be planning to block major highways during protests expected to be held in Tbilisi today, February 2.

The ministry said civil activists are planning to hold a protest at the northern entrance to Tbilisi on February 2 and block it. The central highways leading to Western Georgia and Russia pass through the northern entrance to Tbilisi, Caliber.Az reports via Georgian media.

The ministry calls on the organizers and participants of the planned action to refrain from illegal actions and to express their protest within the framework of the law. "Otherwise, the police will resort to all appropriate legal measures," the ministry noted.

According to the ministry, roads of international importance are considered strategic objects, and blocking them entails criminal liability.

"The list of strategic or especially important objects includes highways of international importance, as well as entry and exit roads of Tbilisi. According to Article 222 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, blocking strategic or especially important objects is a punishable act that entails imprisonment for up to two years, and the said act, committed by a group of persons, entails imprisonment for a term of two to four years," the ministry said in a statement.

It is important to note that Georgian activists have been protesting since late 2024, driven by a series of controversial political and legislative decisions. The protests began after the October 2024 parliamentary elections, where the ruling Georgian Dream party claimed victory. Opposition groups, however, alleged widespread electoral fraud, calling for a recount and new elections. Tensions escalated further when, in November 2024, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced the suspension of Georgia's European Union accession process until 2028, contradicting the country's long-standing pro-EU stance and fueling public discontent.

The protests intensified following the controversial inauguration of Mikheil Kavelashvili as president in December 2024. Many critics believed his election was influenced by pro-Russian interests, and they questioned the legitimacy of his presidency. Meanwhile, in October 2024, the Georgian Dream party passed an anti-LGBTQ+ law, which banned same-sex marriages and adoptions, among other measures. This law sparked fears of increased hate crimes and drew comparisons to similar legislation in Russia, further stoking public outrage.

These developments have led to widespread demonstrations across Georgia, with activists demanding fair elections, a return to pro-European policies. 

By Khagan Isayev