A first precedent has been set regarding sidewalk protest cases. Citizen Rezi Dumbadze was declared to have committed an administrative offense solely for standing on the sidewalk during a protest.
However, Judge Tornike Kapanadze issued him only a verbal warning and did not impose administrative detention. This information was shared by Dumbadze himself and his lawyer, Marika Arevadze.
According to the most recent amendments to the law on assemblies and demonstrations, it is now mandatory to notify the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) at least five days before holding a gathering or demonstration in a public space. If the MIA decides, it has the authority to assign an alternative time and place for participants. The repressive law introduced by the “Georgian Dream” stipulates up to 15 days of detention (up to 20 days for organizers) and, in case of repeat offenses, criminal liability, which can carry up to one year of imprisonment.
Since the law came into force on December 12, numerous citizens have been issued administrative offense protocols and summoned to court for protesting on the sidewalk.
