Interior Ministry: law enforcement will respond to protesters blocking traffic on Tbilisi’s Rustaveli Avenue
It cited the prohibition of “artificial” blocking of roads and transport in the domestic Law on Assembly and Manifestation “unless the number of participants of the assembly or demonstration requires doing so”. Photo: Interior Ministry
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The Georgian Interior Ministry on Wednesday said law enforcement would have an “appropriate legal response” to protesters blocking traffic on Rustaveli Avenue in capital Tbilisi, citing reduction of numbers of participants of the ongoing protests against the controversial bill on transparency of foreign influence.
The Ministry said there was “no need to block traffic movement” on the Avenue given the smaller number of protesters against the draft law, which calls for the registration of non-commercial legal entities and media outlets in the country as “pursuing the interests of a foreign power” if they derive more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad.
The body said individuals at the rally had been “artificially and continuously” blocking traffic on the Avenue despite the smaller number of protesters, and noted the action “violates rights of individuals who live and work in the vicinity of the manifestation area” and was “preventing institutions and organisations from normal functioning”.
It cited the prohibition of “artificial” blocking of roads and transport in the domestic Law on Assembly and Manifestation “unless the number of participants of the assembly or demonstration requires doing so”.
The Georgian Parliament’s discussion of the controversial domestic bill on transparency of foreign influence has sparked public protests outside the legislative body in Tbilisi on Monday, with domestic opposition parties, non-governmental organisations, media outlets and citizens involved in a rally.
Georgian police on Monday arrested 14 individuals during public protests over the controversial domestic bill on transparency of foreign influence outside the Parliament in the country’s capital Tbilisi, the Ministry of Internal Affairs said.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Monday expressed his “readiness to participate in public discussion” on the domestic bill on transparency of foreign influence, after the debate was offered by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze to ambassadors of the United States, European Union and EU member states.
Georgia cherishes and safeguards relations with partner countries. By taking into consideration the main priority of our foreign policy - EU integration - cooperation with high-ranking officials of the United States of America, European Union and EU Member States, including the ambassadors and exchange of ideas is a profound priority for us. We value every supportive step and statement of current ambassadors that are directed at solidifying the international positions of Georgia. Thus, every grounded advice and recommendation will further be accepted with special attention and care.