Threat Defense

Which threat is punishable under Article 151?

A threat to kill, to damage health or to destroy property, where the threatened person has developed a well-founded fear of its realization. Both conditions — the threat and the well-founded fear — must exist simultaneously.

What penalty applies to the basic composition?

A fine, or community service from one hundred twenty to one hundred eighty hours, or corrective labor for up to one year, or house arrest from six months to two years, or imprisonment for up to one year.

What are the aggravating circumstances?

Commission by a group, more than once, with prior knowledge against a pregnant woman, a helpless person, a person with a disability or a minor, and commission against a family member. The penalty then rises — imprisonment for up to three years.

How does the accused defend?

The defense verifies whether the words contained a threat to life, health or property, whether the fear was well-founded, and whether the aggravating circumstances were established. Each of these questions is examined separately.

Does the family connection matter?

Yes — a threat against a family member is punished under the second part, which requires a separate approach in cases arising from family conflicts.

4 min·10 Jan 2026

Threat as a Crime — the Content of Article 151

A threat is recognized in the Criminal Code of Georgia as a separate crime, because creating fear about the inviolability of life, health or property is harmful in itself and punishable by the state. At the same time, this is one of those compositions whose existence requires the simultaneous establishment of two conditions: the fact of the threat and the well-founded fear of its realization on the part of the threatened person. The precise analysis of precisely these conditions decides the outcome of the case, which is why engaging a lawyer from the very first stage of such a charge is essential.

Updated: 10 Oct 2026

Legal basis:

Threat Defense

Which threat is punishable under Article 151?

What penalty applies to the basic composition?

What are the aggravating circumstances?

How does the accused defend?

Does the family connection matter?

Yes — a threat against a family member is punished under the second part, which requires a separate approach in cases arising from family conflicts.

4 min·10 Jan 2026

Threat as a Crime — the Content of Article 151