On Rustaveli Avenue, police demanded that protesters leave the sidewalk. “What are we supposed to do — fly into the sky? Organize a virtual protest from our kitchens? We’ve reached complete absurdity,” said sociologist Iago Kachkachishvili on PalitraNews’ program 360 Degrees.

According to Kachkachishvili, the amendments to the Law on Assemblies and Manifestations contradict the Constitution and public opinion.

“Today, a politician can be detained for completely absurd reasons. Legislation may be introduced that makes it impossible not to violate the law without leaving politics altogether. For example, at this very moment, while we are talking here, police on Rustaveli Avenue are demanding that protesters leave the sidewalk. Leave the sidewalk, don’t move into the street — so what are we supposed to do, fly into the sky? Organize a virtual protest from our kitchens? We’ve reached complete absurdity.

This contradicts the Constitution and public opinion. This law, and in general the brutal legislation adopted by this government, runs counter to public interests. It contradicts international law and international democratic experience. The authorities are increasingly losing any connection with democratic culture,” Kachkachishvili said.

Kachkachishvili also stated that Georgian Dream adopted “brutal” laws because it lacks public support.

“If early parliamentary elections were held tomorrow under fair conditions, Georgian Dream would definitely lose. Georgian Dream introduced brutal laws and unprecedented repressive mechanisms that make Georgia resemble Belarus and Russia. Why did it do this? Because Georgian Dream has no support from Georgian society. Georgian Dream faces a legitimacy problem not only abroad, but also domestically. It has failed to convince the majority of Georgian society of the fairness of its policies. If elections are held under fair conditions, I can state with full responsibility that we will definitely have a coalition government,” Iago Kachkachishvili said.