Georgia's new "president" bans masks and pyrotechnics at protests and takes away state protection from his predecessor

Mikheil Kavelashvili, the anti-Western "President" of Georgia, whose legitimacy is not recognised by much of the international community, incumbent Georgian leader Salome Zourabichvili along with the opposition signed several laws on his inauguration day, including a ban on masks and pyrotechnics at protests.

Source: European Pravda, citing Radio Liberty Georgian Service

Details: A total of 28 laws signed by Kavelashvili were released in The Legislative Bulletin of Georgia, the official website for the publishing of laws in Georgia.

Among the laws signed were amendments to the law On Assemblies and Mass Demonstrations, which ban protesters from wearing masks or other face coverings and prohibit the use of laser devices and pyrotechnics.

Kavelashvili also approved amendments to the law on state security, stripping Salome Zourabichvili of her state protection.

He further signed changes to the law on civil service, which human rights activists say make it easier to dismiss employees for political reasons.

Several of the laws signed by Kavelashvili came into force immediately upon being signed.

Background:

• On 29 December, the Georgian parliament inaugurated Mikheil Kavelashvili, whose legitimacy is not recognised by incumbent Georgian leader Salome Zourabichvili, the opposition and much of the international community.
• On the morning of 29 December, Zourabichvili addressed her supporters and announced her decision to leave the presidential palace. Prior to that, Irakli Kobakhidze, the Prime Minister of Georgia, threatened her with imprisonment.
• Earlier, the Baltic states, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Finland called on the Georgian authorities to consider holding new elections.

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