Georgian Authorities Issue Ultimatum to Protesters Blocking Central Tbilisi Road

The Georgian Interior Ministry has urged participants of an ongoing protest in central Tbilisi to vacate the roadway, warning that measures will be taken in case of non-compliance.

In an official statement, the ministry called on demonstrators to respect the law, The Caspian Post reports via Russian media.

“We call on the participants and organizers of the rally to comply with legal requirements and, in accordance with Article 13 of the Law on Assemblies and Demonstrations, to clear the roadway within 15 minutes and ensure the unhindered movement of traffic on Rustaveli Avenue,” the statement said.

The ministry noted that law enforcement officers would identify and penalize those refusing to comply.

A small protest is currently underway outside the Georgian Parliament building, where demonstrators have blocked traffic on Rustaveli Avenue despite sufficient space available in the pedestrian zone.

The warning comes shortly after the Georgian Parliament adopted amendments to the administrative and criminal codes on October 16, tightening penalties for violations during public demonstrations.

According to the new rules, protesters who block roadways when pedestrian areas are available may face up to 15 days of administrative arrest. The same penalty applies to individuals concealing their faces with masks or carrying prohibited objects.

Participants who ignore police orders to disperse or are found in possession of weapons or pyrotechnics risk up to 60 days of detention, while repeated violations could lead to up to one year of imprisonment.