Georgian President “backing revolution”, protests against bill on rallies “looking for unrest” - ruling party head
Irakli Kobakhidze said “those who will protest the bill will admit they want a revolution in the country”. Photo: Georgian Dream press office
Tweet 
Share
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.
Givi Mikanadze, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Education and Science Committee, on Thursday said amendments to the Law on Assemblies and Demonstrations, on review by the legislative body, were focused on the “protection of human life” and “in no way” restricted “peaceful assembly and demonstrations”.
The Georgian Parliament on Wednesday approved amendments in the domestic Law on Assembly and Manifestation banning installation of “temporary constructions” during rallies on specific occasions in the first of three readings.
Mamuka Mdinaradze, the Executive Secretary of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday commented on the draft amendments to the law of Georgia on Assemblies and Manifestations and said “it is our obligation to prevent unrest” in the country both at the legislative and practical levels, as “revolutionary” actions were planned this fall.
The Georgian State Security Service on Monday claimed it had uncovered a plan by former officials of the previous United National Movement Government who were aiming to cause “civil unrest” and overthrow the country’s Government using a “Euromaidan scenario” this fall.
Irakli Chikovani, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Sunday said the amendments to the Georgian Law on Assemblies and Demonstrations limiting installation of constructions during public rallies were “necessary for stability”, noting the Parliament would override President Salome Zourabichvili’s veto on the bill.
Kakha Kaladze, the Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party and Mayor of Tbilisi, on Sunday highlighted the importance of the bill approved by lawmakers to limit installation of constructions during public rallies.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Wednesday claimed the adoption of the recent amendments to the Law on Broadcasting, which extends the power of the National Communications Commission in regulating hate speech and incitement to terrorism, had been a “demand of the European Union”.
The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights this week disapproved of the bill proposed by the Georgian Dream ruling party in September to limit erection of temporary constructions during rallies as “disproportionate”, with a potential “chilling effect on the exercise of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly”.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday claimed there was“high likelihood” of President Salome Zourabichvili stepping down “one to two months prior” to the parliamentary elections next year in a bid to “back” the “radical wing” of the domestic opposition in the race.