Fourteen individuals have been detained in Tbilisi for violating the rules governing public gatherings and demonstrations between October 18–19, says the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA).
The director of the Tbilisi Police Department, Vazha Siradze, announced at a briefing that one of the detainees has been transferred to the Center for Mental Health and Addiction Prevention, where they will undergo compulsory treatment.
“Over the past three days, law enforcement officers have identified 53 violations of the law. Out of these, 42 individuals have been charged with administrative offenses,” Siradze stated.
The MIA reminded the public that amendments to the law regulating assemblies and demonstrations came into force on October 17, introducing stricter rules for organizing and conducting public gatherings.
In line with these changes, police officers detained 14 individuals — identified by initials as A.G., K.Ts., T.T., D.A., U.G., D.E., I.K., K.M., B.K., B.Q., N.B., S.J., and T.S. — under the Code of Administrative Offenses.
“Given that one of the detainees was transferred for mandatory psychiatric treatment, we refrain from disclosing that person’s initials,” the police official added.
Siradze said participants in the Rustaveli Avenue protests — despite being small in number — blocked traffic lanes, disrupting the movement of vehicles near the parliament building. He also noted that some demonstrators wore face coverings, which constitutes an administrative offense under current legislation.
The Interior Ministry emphasized that it had issued multiple public warnings and official statements regarding compliance with the law and had repeatedly urged demonstrators to avoid obstructing traffic. Despite these instructions, protesters refused to comply with police orders and continued unlawful actions.
The Ministry said that administrative proceedings are ongoing against the remaining individuals identified as offenders, and their cases will be reviewed by the court in the coming days.
“Reducing public disorder and ensuring compliance with the law remain top priorities for the police,” the statement concluded.
The recent amendments to Georgia’s law on assemblies and demonstrations tightened rules regarding the blocking of streets, face covering during protests, and non-compliance with police orders.
The legislative changes were introduced amid ongoing anti-government protests in central Tbilisi, where participants have accused authorities of limiting freedom of expression and assembly.
