---
title: "Threatening Defense"
url: "https://legal.ge/en/service/crim-criminal-law-en/threatening-defense-en"
field: "Criminal Law"
description: "Threatening, Article 151: the criterion of well-founded fear, penalty up to three years and defense. Legal.ge."
reviewed: "2026-07-09"
updated: "2026-10-14"
publisher: "legal.ge"
---

# Threatening Defense

> Source: legal.ge, https://legal.ge/en/service/crim-criminal-law-en/threatening-defense-en

## What the Threat Norm Defines

Article 151 of the Criminal Code declares threat an independent crime — even without consequence, where the threat aroused in the addressee a well-founded fear of its realization. The composition requires two elements: a threat to kill, injure health or destroy property, and the well-founded fear caused by that threat. Verbal form does not remove criminality: a threat may be uttered orally, in writing or through conduct, if perceived as a threat.

The full text is available on legal.ge after signing in: https://legal.ge/en/service/crim-criminal-law-en/threatening-defense-en

### When is a threat a crime?

When a threat against life, health or property arouses in the addressee a well-founded fear of realization — without any consequence.

### What is the penalty?

A fine, community service, corrective labour, house arrest or imprisonment up to one year; with aggravating features — up to three years.

### What are the aggravating features?

By a group, repeatedly, against a pregnant, helpless or disabled person or a minor, and against a family member.

### How does the accused defend?

By showing that no threat existed or could not arouse well-founded fear — through form, context and impossibility of realization.