Georgian President “backing revolution”, protests against bill on rallies “looking for unrest” - ruling party head

Irakli Kobakhidze, the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Thursday claimed President Salome Zourabichvili had “already declared she is backing a revolution” in the country, and alleged those opposing the recent bill limiting installation of constructions during public rallies were “looking for unrest in the country”. 

The lawmaker’s press comment came following the President’s decision this week to veto the bill, proposed by the ruling party last month to ban installation of “temporary constructions” like tents during rallies on specific occasions. 

“Those who will protest the bill will admit they want a revolution in the country. The current Government and the public want peace, and the authorities are doing their utmost to ensure peace”, Kobakhidze said. 

GD proposed the bill following claims by the country’s State Security Service in September of an “unrest” being planned by opposition groups this fall, with the legal piece banning setting up of constructions if they “pose threats to demonstrators or other individuals”, or hamper police efforts to ensure order, work of institutions, organisations or other facilities. 

The amendments also ban installation of constructions if they are not related to a specific rally or demonstration, and notes local authorities would consider each case individually to ensure freedom of assembly and expression. 

The Parliament approved the bill with its third and final reading on October 5, while the President vetoed it on Tuesday, pointing to its “undemocratic” nature. 

Slamming the bill, opposition lawmakers also called the amendments “vague” and “targeted against the freedom of assembly and expression”. 

The Georgian State Security Service claimed on September 18 former officials under the United National Movement Government had plans to spark unrest in the country this fall “in coordination and through the funding from abroad”. 

In its latest comments this month, the agency claimed the East-West Management Institute of the United States Agency for International Development programme had funded a training in Tbilisi last month that hosted activists from the Serbian-based Canvas organisation in discussions the body said were related to the alleged unrest plans.