Sociologist Iago Kachkachishvili stated on PalitraNews’ program "Resume" that imprisoning individuals for standing on the sidewalk - both the act itself and the legislation enabling it - represents the peak of absurdity.

According to Kachkachishvili, this is a mechanism of intimidation, with the government aiming to prevent people from taking to the streets or expressing protest peacefully.

"From a moral perspective, this behavior is repulsive, and the law that underpins it indicates that we are under an authoritarian regime heading toward dictatorship. By this logic, anyone participating in demonstrations or peacefully protesting can end up in jail. There are technicalities: the police can warn you and give 15 minutes to comply - but where should one go? Fly into the sky or escape into the forest? If you protest in a public space where people are moving, you are immediately considered suspicious and subject to imprisonment. This absurdity would be very comical if it weren’t for the fact that it affects real people’s lives. It is a deliberate intimidation mechanism, meant to prevent people from going out and protesting peacefully," Kachkachishvili said.

He also noted that Prime Minister statements emphasizing debates are connected to the arrests for standing on sidewalks.

"The Prime Minister wanted to neutralize the issue of arrests by bringing up debates. Today, critical media in Georgia is struggling because legitimate funding sources have been cut off, employees cannot get their salaries, and outlets are on the verge of closure. In this context, highlighting debates is a farce. It’s an illusion, a mockery of Georgian society. All democratic institutions are effectively closed, and debates alone cannot save democracy in Georgia. I believe nothing happens by accident. Statements about debates are definitely linked to arrests for standing on sidewalks. They wanted this topic to dominate the public agenda and somehow overshadow or neutralize the issue of arrests," Kachkachishvili added.