The Parliament has expedited the adoption of a draft law, which, upon its entry into force, will extend restrictions on assemblies and demonstrations held on pedestrian paths.

The legislative package was adopted in the third reading with 79 votes in favor (9 against).

According to the latest amendments to the Law on Assemblies and Demonstrations, the obligation to warn the Ministry of Internal Affairs is being established in the event that an assembly or demonstration is held in a place where people move. According to the draft, if an assembly or demonstration poses a threat to public safety, law and order, the normal functioning of institutions and organizations, means of transport and the movement of people, the state body will be authorized to instruct the participants of the demonstration about an alternative place, time or method of holding the demonstration.

The organizer of a gathering or demonstration is obliged to notify the Ministry of Internal Affairs, instead of the municipal body, about the assembly or demonstration. After receiving the warning, the Ministry of Internal Affairs is authorized to propose to the organizers of the assembly or demonstration a change in the place and route of the gathering if it considers that the proposed form, place or route of the gathering poses a threat to public order, the normal operation of state and public bodies, enterprises, institutions and organizations, transport, as well as the unhindered movement of people.

If participants of a spontaneous or non-spontaneous assembly do not agree to hold a meeting or demonstration at the place or location proposed to them by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and nevertheless hold the assembly or demonstration at that place, the participant of the assembly or demonstration will be subject to administrative detention for a term of up to 15 days, and the organizer - for a term of up to 20 days. For repeated commission of a similar action, the participant or organizer will be subject to criminal liability under Article 347 of the Criminal Code, namely, imprisonment for a term of up to one year.

The draft was submitted to the Parliament by Archil Gorduladze, Chairman of the Committee on Legal Issues.