Protesters in Georgia are facing a hefty price for their dissent — literally. The Georgian Young Lawyers Association (GYLA) revealed that fines against demonstrators have skyrocketed to a staggering 2 million GEL, a move the NGO slammed as a direct attack on the right to peaceful assembly.
Hefty Fines and Legal Changes
The recent surge in penalties didn’t come out of nowhere. It traces back to changes pushed by the ruling Georgian Dream party, which amended Article 174¹ of the Code of Administrative Offenses. Before, protesters risked a 500 GEL fine. Now, that figure’s ballooned to 5,000 GEL — a tenfold jump that hits hard, especially for younger, working-class demonstrators.
One sentence sums up the outrage: peaceful protest is increasingly becoming a luxury few can afford. GYLA argues this isn’t about law and order anymore — it’s about silencing dissent.
Authorities defend the amendments, claiming they’re necessary to curb illegal road blockages and ensure public order. But critics say the penalties are out of proportion, designed more to intimidate than regulate.
Facial Recognition and Photographic Evidence
It’s not just the fines that have people worried. The way they’re enforced is stirring controversy, too. GYLA reports that law enforcement is leaning heavily on facial recognition technology to track down protesters after the fact. Courts, in turn, are relying on photos — often without considering the wider context of the demonstrations.
Imagine this: a blurry snapshot from a crowded street ends up as the sole piece of evidence against you. That’s the reality for many protesters. GYLA claims this approach ignores the bigger picture and builds a system where bias thrives.
- Facial recognition technology identifies protesters, even from large crowds.
- Courts frequently use photos as the main — and sometimes only — evidence.
- GYLA warns this practice overlooks context and encourages biased rulings.
Between November 2024 and March 18, 2025, the result has been 2 million GEL in fines, a number that’s still climbing.
The Cost of Dissent
For many Georgians, the financial burden is more than a penalty — it’s a punishment. With the average monthly salary hovering around 1,500 GEL, a 5,000 GEL fine isn’t just a slap on the wrist. It’s devastating.
Consider this breakdown:
| Average Monthly Income (GEL) | New Protest Fine (GEL) | Equivalent Work Time to Pay Fine |
|---|---|---|
| 1,500 | 5,000 | Over 3 months’ salary |
| 2,000 | 5,000 | 2.5 months’ salary |
| 3,000 | 5,000 | 1.6 months’ salary |
For a country grappling with economic challenges and rising living costs, that’s a price many simply can’t pay. Some activists say this is precisely the point — to create a financial chokehold on protests.
Warnings of Escalating Repression
GYLA isn’t mincing words: they’re calling this an “alarming escalation” in state repression. The NGO warns that these tactics signal a dangerous shift in how Georgia handles dissent — from physical crackdowns to financial penalties that hit people where it hurts most.
One protester, speaking anonymously, described the situation bluntly: “They can arrest us, fine us, whatever — we won’t stop. This isn’t just about money anymore. It’s about our freedom.”
Whether the growing outcry will force the government to rethink its approach remains uncertain.
