Georgian PM thanks protesters for replenishing state budget by paying fines

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has thanked the participants of the protests in Tbilisi for their daily contributions to the state budget, amounting to tens of thousands of lari.

The Georgian parliament approved amendments to Article "Violation of the Law on Assemblies and Demonstrations" in early February 2025, which involve both increased fines for violations and the introduction of several restrictions on the conduct of protest actions, Caliber.Az reports, citing Georgian media.

For instance, the fine for blocking a road has been increased from 500 to 5,000 lari.

“They come on their own, contributing to the state budget, paying tens of thousands of lari daily, and for this, we can only thank them,” Kobakhidze said.

According to the Prime Minister, the opposition is in a difficult position, gathering only around 300 people for just one hour.

He also noted that opposition politicians have very complicated internal party relations, not to mention inter-party relations.

Since late November 2024, Georgia has been experiencing significant political unrest marked by widespread protests across the country, driven by public dissatisfaction with the government's policies, perceived electoral fraud, and concerns over the nation's geopolitical orientation.

Protests ignited after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced the suspension of EU accession negotiations until 2028. Thousands gathered outside the Georgian Parliament in Tbilisi, expressing frustration over the perceived shift away from European integration. Demonstrations escalated with clashes between protesters and police, resulting in injuries and numerous arrests.

In early February 2025, the Georgian government proposed stricter penalties for protest-related offenses, including extended jail terms and increased fines. This move came amid ongoing political unrest that began in November 2024 when the ruling Georgian Dream party suspended EU accession talks, sparking public outrage. The severity of the police response to protests has drawn criticism, with numerous arrests and reports of beatings.

On March 12, 2025, former President Mikheil Saakashvili was sentenced to an additional nine years in prison on charges of embezzlement, bringing his total sentence to 15 years. Saakashvili, who served as president from 2004 to 2013, was accused of misappropriating 9 million lari (approximately $3.2 million) for personal expenses. His defense maintains that the charges are politically motivated. The sentencing led to protests from his supporters and criticism of the government, particularly targeting Bidzina Ivanishvili, a former prime minister and influential figure accused of influencing the judicial decision.

By Khagan Isayev