“In response to information circulating in the media, the Ministry of Internal Affairs wishes to clarify that, during the protest on Melikishvili Avenue on November 18-19 of this year, there was no special headquarters established at Tbilisi State University, nor were employees of the Special Tasks Department present in the university building,” states the announcement from the Ministry.

The Ministry further explains that no headquarters was set up in either the TSU building or yard. Criminal police officers entered the university grounds only after protesters ignited multiple fires.

“We want to emphasize that no headquarters was established in the Tbilisi State University building or yard on November 18-19, nor were Special Tasks Department personnel mobilized there.

We clarify that the criminal police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs entered the Tbilisi State University yard only after protesters started multiple fires near the central entrance to the yard.

It is important to note that the Tbilisi State University yard and pantheon are not enclosed spaces; they are accessible to the public, including protesters, who have the right to use the university grounds during demonstrations freely,” the agency’s statement concludes.