The internal affairs minister of Georgia Vakhtang Gomelauri briefed the media regarding the latest updates on the law and order situation in the country. He reiterated that the right to protest is a legal right but without using any violent method.
As protestors took to the streets in Tbilisi against the foreign agent law the ministry issued warnings to the protestors to stay peaceful.Although the right to peaceful protest is enshrined in the constitution, however, in case it turns violent the state has every right to take the necessary against violent protest to maintain law and order as well, added minister.
Minister also stated that as per the secret reports it has come to light that the protest may turn violent in the next few cities. The protestors are also planning to block the entry to the Georgian   parliament. Minister further said that according to Article 222 of the Criminal Code of   Georgia, a group   blocking  entry to public   offices or creating any other inconvenience that  hampered or could hamper   the normal functioning of this shall be punished by imprisonment of up to 4 years.
The the past few years the  practice has become more usual where the participants of the protest are   adopting violent measures.    Therefore due to state interests  we consider ourselves obliged to implement this article in proportion to violators of the law and in case of committing a crime to implement Article 222 of the Criminal Code of Georgia without any exception.
He said that this is very painful to see that some persons with vested interests are fuelling the protest by   inciting the protestors.   He also said that we do not want to use strict measures against our citizens.   However  to ensure the law and order situation is under control we have the all options to use the law against the violent protestors.
Minister said “We are hopeful that no one will engage in planned provocations by politicians and other internal and external entities and will not disturb the law and order situation. On this occasion after the briefing, Vakhtang Gomelaur answered questions from journalists on the current situation in the capital.
