We would like to respond to the information spread in the mass media that several people were sentenced to administrative detention for allegedly standing on the sidewalk alone, reads the statement, released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs [MIA].

“This information is a complete lie and manipulation, which is aimed at deliberately misleading the public.

In reality, we are not talking about standing on the sidewalk, but about a case when a person obstructs or prevents citizens from moving on the sidewalk, which will be followed by a response from our side provided for by law.

The Constitution of Georgia establishes the need for prior warning of the authorities when a gathering is held in a place where people or transport move. A participant in a gathering or demonstration is prohibited by law from intentionally creating obstacles to the movement of people or transport.

In a specific case, since on December 17-18, 2025, the participants of the assembly deliberately created obstacles to the movement of citizens in front of the Parliament, the MIA, within the framework of the relevant administrative proceedings, applied to the court with a request to impose an administrative penalty on these persons.

During the court session, during the consideration of the fact of the administrative offense, it was unequivocally established, based on the evidence presented and evaluated, that they had committed an administrative offense, for which they were imposed the relevant administrative penalties”, - reads the statement.