Doctrinal Gaps in the Criminalization of Unlawful Deprivation of Liberty, Forced Marriage, and Engagement Practices of Minors in Georgia

This study examines the doctrinal gaps in the criminalization of marriage-related coercive practices within the framework of Georgian criminal law. A key issue lies in the fact that the offence of unlawful deprivation of liberty does not fully encompass cases of abduction for the purpose of marriage, while the offence of forced marriage fails to cover informal practices such as the engagement of minors. The aim of the research is to identify these normative gaps and to provide a systematic legal assessment. The study employs doctrinal and comparative legal methods. The findings demonstrate that the existing regulatory framework is fragmented and generates legal gaps, within which certain forms of marriage-related coercion remain outside the scope of effective criminal law protection.