New bill proposes punishment for defiling EU, NATO flags, other symbols
Defiling EU and NATO flags, as well as symbols of other organisations may become subject to administrative prosecution in Georgia. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
Tweet 
Share
Defiling of the flags of the EU and NATO, as well as flags and other symbols of foreign organisations Georgia belongs to, may become punishable in Georgia.
A bill will be presented in parliament later today which proposes the addition of a new article to the administrative code of Georgia to make defiling of these symbols prosecutable, IPN news agency reports.
During Tbilisi Pride events in early July, right-wing activists burnt the EU flag in front of the Georgian parliament building which caused dissatisfaction in the public.
Georgia stands firm by its value-based choice of #European integration as the #EU flag hangs high in front of the Georgian Parliament! ???????????????? pic.twitter.com/SErXEIkW5u
— Kakha Kuchava (@kkuchava) July 7, 2021
According to the bill individuals would be fined 1,000 GEL for the offence, while repeat action would be punishable by 2,000 GEL or a 15-day administrative imprisonment.
Members of the ruling Georgian Dream party and opposition have responded to violent attacks by right-wing groups on civil activists and media in front of the Georgian parliament and elsewhere on July 5-6.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Kakha Kuchava has raised the European Union flag in front of the Georgian parliament building in the capital city of Tbilisi this morning after violent right-wing groups burnt EU and LGBT flags last night. The groups shut down a ‘silent’ demonstration held outside the Parliament of Georgia yesterday which was meant to protest the violent events of July 5.
Police have detained 100 activists of violent right-wing groups who shut down a ‘silent’ demonstration held outside the Parliament of Georgia yesterday to protest the violent events of July 5. "At this stage, 100 people have been detained. Of the detainees, 68 have been released…while 32 remain in temporary detention”, reports the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia.
Injuries to citizens and law enforcement have been reported from ongoing protests on Rustaveli Avenue as items including stones and pieces of iron rods have been observed thrown from violent right-wing counter-demonstrators. Participants of the peaceful protest against July 5 violent scenes have reportedly asked police to use riot units - located nearby according to law enforcement officers - against the violent groups whose attacks have left police professionals and citizens injured.
The Georgian parliament has adopted a bill which imposes a fine of 1,000 GEL (about $322/€285) for defacing the flags of the EU, NATO and countries with which Georgia has diplomatic relations, along with symbols of international organisations.