The Georgian Parliament has expeditiously passed a bill in its third and final reading requiring organizers of protests in "places where people gather or where vehicles are moving" (including on sidewalks) to notify the police. The responsible person must contact the Patrol Service Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (located at the location of the demonstration) in writing no later than five days before the rally.
A member of the former ruling party of Georgia, the United National Movement, Lasha Tsanava, has been detained on charges of fraud. This was reported by the State Security Service of the country.
According to the investigation, he promised, using his connections, to provide a foreign citizen with a residence permit in Georgia for one year, estimating such a service at 5,600 US dollars. It is reported that the accused received 2,500 dollars as an advance payment.
The article on fraud provides for imprisonment for a term of 4 to 7 years.
The National Movement states that the case is politically motivated, since the authorities are trying to discredit Saakashvili's party, which is in opposition. The head of the United National Movement, Tina Bokuchava, noted that the SSS's activity "is connected with the growth of the party's rating, especially in recent months."