A person who claims to be the legitimate president while not holding the office and carries a flag has only two options, according to First Vice-Speaker of Parliament Gia Volski: either be held accountable for their actions or be referred to psychiatrists.

Volski made the remarks in response to a question concerning Georgian Dream MP Archil Gorduladze’s statement that, “with Parliament’s approval, criminal liability could be imposed on a person who does not recognize the legitimacy of constitutional bodies and publicly calls for similar actions.”

“There is no middle or third option. A person who claims to be the legitimate president while not holding that position and parades with a flag - there are two possibilities: either demand accountability if their actions seriously harm the country and demonstrate that their position, their ‘voyage,’ and their flag-carrying oppose the nation’s interests; or, the second option is to refer the matter to psychiatrists. There is no other alternative,” Volski said.

He added: “If someone claims today that they are a prominent figure or president without any connection to that position, it becomes problematic if used for destabilizing the country. However, if it does not carry widespread political impact or harm, then it falls under psychiatric evaluation.”

For context, Archil Gorduladze, Chairman of the Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee, stated that if Parliament votes in favor, the law could define criminal liability for persons who publicly deny the legitimacy of constitutional bodies.