Georgia may criminalize denial of Abkhaz and South Ossetian occupation

Georgy Baramidze, Georgian ex-minister for European integration and member of parliament, proposed a bill criminalizing denial of occupation of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in any public form, including online. Baramidze explained that the law was provoked by activists of the “Crimea is Russia” meeting organized by the Eurasian Choice organization at the old building of the Russian embassy.

The Gulbaat Rtskhiladze march with anti-NATO slogans commemorating the 15th anniversary of Belgrade bombings and the “Land – Our Home” at the Pushkin monument played a role in composition of the bill, according to the official.

Billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili’s team has been accused of being loyal to the Kremlin more often recently. Many NGOs joined the United National Movement in slamming the Georgian Dream coalition.

The law on occupation is still in force in the country. Foreigners arriving in Abkhazia and South Ossetia from Russia are automatically punished with four years of jail for illegal border crossing.