The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has released a statement regarding the individuals detained at yesterday’s rally.

According to the statement, the police released four individuals based on a handwritten note, while ten detainees were transferred to a temporary detention facility in accordance with Georgia’s legislative procedures.

“Based on the high public interest, the Ministry of Internal Affairs would like to provide the public with additional information on individuals detained under the Code of Administrative Offences during the manifestation on Rustaveli Avenue on April 15, 2024.

In the course of the protest rally, despite numerous calls made by the law enforcement officers, that the participants of the rally should express their protest in a peaceful manner and not exceed limits defined by the law on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, some of the participants of the rally ignored the legal requests of police, offered resistance to the law enforcement officers who were on the spot to protect public order and verbally insulted them. On the basis of this police arrested 14 individuals under the Code of Administrative Offences.

After the relevant legal procedures, police released 4 individuals on the basis of the acknowledgement, whereas 10 detainees were transferred to a temporary detention facility according to the procedures defined by the legislation of Georgia.

As soon as the detained persons were booked at the temporary detention centre, medics medically examined them in a confidential environment and the relevant documentation was prepared. It is notable that there was no need for additional medical assistance with regard to the arrested persons during their stay in the detention cell.

It is worth mentioning that detainees while being held in temporary detention, had the opportunity to meet with the representative of the Public Defender in a confidential environment.

All detainees have unlimited access to lawyers defending their interests, representatives of the Public Defender’s Office and the Special Investigation Service,” the MIA stated.