Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs has released a statement regarding the protest rally to be organized by the United National Movement today, November 15.

“The protest rally organized by the “United National Movement” political party is planned to be held in Tbilisi on November 15 of the current year, during which the traffic movement is planned to be blocked on the right and left sides of the Mtkvari River.

The goal of the protest rally is to provoke a traffic collapse in Tbilisi.

According to Article 11 of the “Law of Georgia on Assemblage and Manifestations”, the participants of the assembly are prohibited from creating obstacles on purpose for the traffic movement. According to Article 111 of the same law, it is not allowed to block the motorways with vehicles, various constructions and/or other objects.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia would like to remind the organizers and participants of the planned rally that violation of the mentioned rules will result in liability in accordance with the Code of Administrative Offenses.

Herewith, it is also notable that under Article 226 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, the organizing a group action that grossly violates public order is defined as criminal action according to the above mentioned article as well as open demonstration of disobedience to the rightful request of a government official, hampering the work of a transport, enterprise, institution or organization and participating in such actions.

The commission of such actions envisions the term of imprisonment up to 3 years.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs calls on citizens and political leaders involved in recent manifestations and assemblies to act in compliance of the Constitution of Georgia, respect the professional activities of police, not to exceed the limits allowed by the law on freedom of assembly, follow the rightful requests of the police and observe public order.

Any violation of the law will be immediately foiled by police and followed by appropriate legal response.

In addition to the mentioned, in case of necessity, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will apply proportional force and special means defined by the law to restore public order”, - reads the statement.