Obstructing the exercise of the will in the elections, including by deception, violence or the use of official status, is a criminal offense, - this is stated in the statement of the Public Defender of Georgia, which refers to the information spread about the confiscation of ID cards for voters against their will.

The ombudsman calls on the law-enforcement bodies, in accordance with publicly disseminated information, to start an investigation on the basis of possible criminal facts.

"In recent days, according to the information spread by the media, social networks, as well as by various monitoring organizations, it is known that unknown persons are taking away the identity cards of Georgian citizens through threats, intimidation, violence and/or other illegal means.

The Public Defender of Georgia reminds the public that obstructing the implementation of the will in the elections, including by deception, violence or using the official position, is a criminal offense.

The public defender calls on the law enforcement authorities to start an investigation based on the possible criminal facts in accordance with the publicly disseminated information. Also, the Public Defender of Georgia expresses his readiness, within the mandate, to help any citizen who has been deprived of his Georgian identity card in this manner. In such cases, please contact us on the device's hotline - 1481," the information says.