Day: October 14, 2025

Georgian NGOs on amendments

Several NGOs say that Georgian Dream’s proposed repressive amendments to the administrative and criminal codes directly violate the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.

According to the organizations, the government is attempting to ban all forms of protest. The NGOs warn that the new amendments threaten all citizens: “If you don’t stay silent, you will be arrested.”

New repressive amendments in Georgia – up to 15 days for wearing mask at protests

One year in prison for repeated disobedience to police

NGO statement on new amendments

«The initiated amendments create a legal reality in which a citizen can be criminally punished simply for speaking out. Such legislation is alien to the democratic world and directly contradicts the Constitution of Georgia and the European Convention on Human Rights.

This initiative affects not only politically active groups — it concerns every citizen of Georgia who publicly demands justice, protests against corruption, unlawful detention or unfair sentences, inadequate infrastructure or lack of social benefits, seeks to protect women or children from violence, or advocates for the environment.

Through these amendments, the authorities are issuing a clear warning to everyone: “If you do not remain silent, you will be arrested.”

We, the organizations signing this statement, regard the amendments as a ban on peaceful protests and another step toward dismantling democratic institutions.»

‘Georgian Dream’ to file lawsuit against ‘United National Movement’

And plans to ban its members from running in elections

Which amendments are being discussed?

New repressive amendments will be introduced to Georgia’s administrative and criminal codes. Protesters face up to 15 days’ arrest for a first offence, including:

• covering the face or wearing a mask;
• possessing tear gas or other harmful substances;
• blocking roads or erecting temporary structures.

Organisers or instigators of these actions may face up to 20 days’ arrest.

According to Irakli Kirtzkhalia, leader of the parliamentary majority “Georgian Dream,” 60 days’ arrest will apply for possession of weapons, fireworks, or similar items during protests, or for refusing police orders to disperse.

Repeated offences will carry criminal liability of up to one year, and up to two years for recidivism.

Azerbaijan Culture Minister Adil Karimli has hosted a large delegation of cultural leaders and artists, headed by Nursahat Shirimov, Turkmenistan Deputy Culture Minister, Azernews reports.

The State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) has yet again demonstrated a conservative but ambitious approach to sovereign wealth management, mixing income-generating investments with a selective preference for high-growth technology equities. The fund announced an investment in London’s Gatwick Airport for £50 million as part of a consortium led by Global Infrastructure Partners, a move that underscores the dual SOFAZ agenda of yield and diversification. (£50 million ≈ $63.5 million). Why the Gatwick deal matters beyond headline optics?

The Azerbaijani Cartographers Public Union has completed the preparation of a detailed map of the Zangezur Corridor, the strategic transport route linking mainland Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Azernews reports.

A resident of the Russia-annexed Ukrainian city of Sevastopol, identified only as Ramil, and his friend Denis have been denied entry to Georgia, the Sevastopol-based pro-Russian outlet ForPost reported on October 13.

ForPost cited Ramil as saying that the two were turned away at Georgia’s Sadakhlo land border crossing with Armenia after presenting their Russian passports and stating that “Sevastopol is part of Russia.” According to him, Georgian border officers pointed to the place of issue in their passports and said, “It says Kherson region – that’s Ukraine.”

The same news agency said the men were issued lifetime entry bans and claimed Georgian authorities “continue to display bias toward certain travelers from Sevastopol and southern regions of Russia.”

Ramil, described by ForPost as a dog breeder, told the agency that border officials said the two “pose a threat to Georgia.” He said he and his friend were traveling from Yerevan to the eastern Georgian town of Telavi for a dog show. “We just laughed and replied that instead of going to Telavi, we’ll go to Sukhumi and Tskhinvali,” he added, referring to cities in Georgia’s Russian-occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions.

While Georgian border officials have denied entry to dozens of journalists, activists, and human rights defenders – often from Western countries – over their alleged involvement in anti-government protests or work seen as opposing the ruling Georgian Dream party, the latest incident involved individuals who claimed the Russian-occupied city is part of Russia rather than Ukraine.

According to the written notice, the men were denied entry on October 9, with authorities citing “other reasons envisaged under Georgian legislation,” a standard phrasing used in such cases.

In a separate case in late September, pro-Kremlin blogger Patrick Lancaster, a Russian citizen of American descent, was denied entry to Georgia at the Russian-Georgian land border. Media reports said Lancaster, who gained prominence for his coverage of conflicts in Eastern Europe, including Russia’s war in Ukraine, was traveling to Tbilisi to cover protests before continuing to Armenia.

Also Read:

• 03/10/2025 – Italian Journalist Giacomo Ferrara Denied Entry to Georgia