The Ministry of Internal Affairs has issued a statement regarding the rally announced for February 2.

The agency calls on civil activists and citizens to hold the rally within the limits set by law and to refrain from blocking a strategic highway.

According to the agency, blocking a strategic highway is an act punishable by law with 2 years in prison, and committing the act in a group is punishable by 2 to 4 years in prison.

“As is known to the public, information is being spread on social networks and various media platforms about a rally-demonstration to be held on central highways on February 2.

We would like to inform the organizers and participants of the rally that in accordance with the Resolution of the Government of Georgia No. 361 of October 23, 2024 “On Approval of the List of Objects of Strategic and/or Special Importance”, international roads are objects of strategic and/or special importance.

In accordance with Article 222 of the Criminal Code, blocking an object of strategic or special importance is a punishable act, which provides for imprisonment for a term of up to 2 years, and committing the above-mentioned act in a group provides for deprivation of liberty for a term of 2 to 4 years.

We call on the organizers and participants of the rally to refrain from unlawful actions and express their protest within the limits established by the legislation of Georgia. Otherwise, the police will take all appropriate legal measures.

We would like to clarify that the list of objects of strategic or special importance includes international roads, as well as highways and central roads entering and exiting the capital. In particular, the territory where the rally is announced for February 2," reads the MIA statement.