TBILISI, DFWatch – It has become a criminal offense to threaten a jail worker or his family.

A bill adopted by parliament, which makes changes to the Criminal Code, is now in force.

Before the change, to resist a lawful order made by a prison or detention facility employee, or in any way prevent the activities of the institution or disrupt its activity, could carry a sentence of up to three years’ imprisonment.

With the new regulation, to resist a lawful order by a prison or detention facility employee, to use violence against them, threaten to kill them or their nearest relatives, or the make threats to damage health or property, will carry a sentence of imprisonment of up to three years, but only if the threat is connected with the employee’s job activities.

Preventing the activities of the institution in some way, or disrupting its activity, is punished in the same way.