On April 15, civil activists and representatives of various political parties gathered from 10:00 a.m. on Zurab Zhvania Street, at the back entrance of the Parliament building and protested peacefully throughout the day. From 7:00 p.m., the participants of the protest started to assemble on Rustaveli Avenue, in front of the Parliament building. Considering the number of participants of the rally, in agreement with  the organizers, police cordoned off Rustaveli Avenue, so that the participants of the manifestation could have the opportunity to express their protest without restrictions.

As it is known to the public, in parallel to manifestation, the meeting of the Legal Affairs Committee was held in the legislative body, which was attended by members of the Georgian Parliament, employees of the parliament’s administration, representatives of non-governmental organizations and media.

At the manifestation on Rustaveli Avenue, one of the speakers called on rally participants to march around the Parliament and be stationed around the building, while work process was still in progress at the legislative body.

Taking into account experience of previous years, in order to prevent the supposed picketing of exit doors of the parliament building, as well as to prevent violent acts and maintain the rule of law at the ground, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has decided that participants of the rally would not be allowed to continue manifestation at side entrances of the parliament building. Therefore, police cordons were placed on Chichinadze and Chitadze streets, near the Parliament entrances. In addition to the mentioned, rally participants had the opportunity to express their protest on Rustaveli Avenue without any restrictions.

The Agency would like to remind the public that similar calls made during the manifestation on March 7-8 of last year, when participants were offered to be stationed near the parliament building, resulting in attacks against police, both with blunt objects and the so-called cocktails of “Molotov”.

Herewith, despite the fact that on March 7-8, after members of the Georgian Parliament and administration staff left the building of the legislative body, police completely cleared the territory from cordons, which was followed by storming into the parliament from the side of rally participants, who set fire to the building, damaged the protective barriers and manhole covers. They also made attempts to break into the parliament building. In addition, vehicles belonging to the Ministry and special police equipment were damaged as well.

The massive violation of public order continued for several hours. In order to restore the rule of law, the police administered proportional force and special means several times.

Considering the mentioned experience, on April 15, 2024, police implemented all necessary preventive measures in order to avoid violence, mass confrontation, and at the same time, to provide citizens gathered on Rustaveli Avenue with the opportunity to enjoy the right of assembly and demonstration. Despite numerous calls from the side of the law enforcement officers, participants of the rally still tried to break through the police cordons, which was followed by administrative detention of 14 people.

During the violent actions from the side of rally participants, the officer of the Patrol Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs was injured.

The employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs are still stationed on Rustaveli Avenue. Law enforcers officers ensure the public order at the spot and the safety of people in the building of the legislative body as well as safety of those participating in the manifestation. We call on the organizers and participants of the rally not to violate the law, to express their protest peacefully and follow the instructions of the police,” reads the statement of the MIA.