The Ministry of Internal Affairs has announced that 20 people, including three foreign nationals, were arrested during the protest outside of Parliament.

“Given that organizers and participants have openly declared their intention to obstruct Parliament members from attending the scheduled May 13 Legal Committee session at 9:00 AM, Ministry of Internal Affairs personnel have urged demonstrators to clear entrances, allowing Parliament members and staff to fulfil their duties. Despite repeated police appeals and Ministry statements emphasizing compliance with lawful directives and the boundaries outlined in assembly and demonstration laws, some demonstrators have disregarded these requests. They’ve disrupted public order, resisted, and insulted law enforcement officers. As a result, 20 individuals have been detained by police under Articles 166 and 173 of the Administrative Offenses Code.

Among the detained are three foreign nationals: G.B. (DoB 2002) from the Russian Federation, P.H. (DoB 1995) from the United States, and another American citizen who declined to provide identification, preferring to contact the United States Embassy in Georgia. The US and Swiss embassies have been promptly notified of these arrests,” the Ministry stated.