---
title: "Unlawfully wearing Ministry of Defence uniform (Art. 198¹)"
url: "https://legal.ge/en/service/administrative-and-public-law-en/unlawfully-wearing-ministry-of-defence-uniform-art-1981-en"
field: "Administrative & Public Law"
description: "Art. 198¹: unlawful wearing of Ministry of Defence uniform and insignia by a non-serviceman. Fine 1,000 lari. Legal.ge."
updated: "2026-10-14"
publisher: "legal.ge"
---

# Unlawfully wearing Ministry of Defence uniform (Art. 198¹)

> Source: legal.ge, https://legal.ge/en/service/administrative-and-public-law-en/unlawfully-wearing-ministry-of-defence-uniform-art-1981-en

## What Article 198¹ is and whom it applies to

Article 198¹ of the Georgian Administrative Offences Code establishes liability for a person who is not a serviceman but who unlawfully wears the uniform established within the system of the Ministry of Defence of Georgia, or its distinguishing marks. The norm consists of two markers: the person must not be a serviceman, and what is worn must be specifically the uniform of the Ministry of Defence system or its distinguishing marks — generic military-style clothing does not fit this description.

The fine is fixed precisely: 1,000 lari. No range is written in this article — the amount does not depend on how obvious the breach was, and there is no elevated step for a repeat. This page explains what the article says, which acts fit its description, and which questions remain for the assessment of the case.

The full text is available on legal.ge after signing in: https://legal.ge/en/service/administrative-and-public-law-en/unlawfully-wearing-ministry-of-defence-uniform-art-1981-en

### How much is the fine under Article 198¹?

The fine is fixed at 1,000 lari — the article contains neither a range nor a repeat step. That means the amount itself is not open to gradation: what can be disputed is the fact of the breach and its classification.

### I play a major's role in a production — is that an offence?

Article 198¹ covers the unlawful wearing of the uniform established in the Ministry of Defence system and its distinguishing marks by a person who is not a serviceman. The article writes no exception for performers — if the wearing has a lawful basis, that is understood separately, and the assessment of the case depends on the concrete facts.

### Mine is a similar outfit, not the official uniform — can I still be fined?

The article extends only to the uniform established in the Ministry of Defence system and its distinguishing marks. If what was worn does not fit that description, the classification of the breach is disputable. What counts as such uniform and marks appears from the corresponding rules.

### What is the fine for a second time?

Article 198¹ provides no separate step for repetition — the fine remains 1,000 lari. Other consequences connected with repeated commission, if any exist, appear from other norms of the Code.