MIA: Over the past two days, 14 individuals detained for violating rules on holding demonstrations

Over the past two days, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has detained 14 additional individuals for violating the rules on holding assemblies and demonstrations, Vazha Siradze, Director of the Tbilisi Police Department, announced at a briefing.

According to Siradze, the ministry once again calls on the organisers and participants of the rallies to comply with the law.

“As the public is aware, legislative amendments that tightened regulations on assemblies and demonstrations came into force on October 17. Taking this into account, in the past two days, employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs have detained 14 individuals — A.G., K.C., T.T., D.A., U.G., D.E., I.K., K.M., B.K., B.Q., N.B., S.J. and T.S. — under the Code of Administrative Offenses for violating the rules governing public demonstrations. One of the detainees has been transferred to the Mental Health and Drug Abuse Prevention Centre for compulsory treatment, and therefore, we are refraining from releasing that person’s initials.

Despite the small number of participants, citizens gathered on Rustaveli Avenue near the Parliament building are artificially blocking the road and obstructing traffic. In addition, some demonstrators have their faces covered, which also constitutes an administrative offense.

The Ministry has repeatedly issued official statements on the matter, and law enforcement officers have warned protesters on the spot not to obstruct traffic. However, the citizens ignored police instructions and continued their unlawful actions. Over the past three days, the ministry has documented 53 violations of the law by demonstration participants. Forty-two of these individuals have already been identified as offenders; some have been detained, while administrative proceedings are ongoing against the rest, and their cases will be reviewed in court in the coming days. We remind the public once again that in cases of repeated violations, offenders will face criminal liability.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs again calls on the organisers and participants of the rally to comply with legal requirements. Otherwise, law enforcement officers will continue to act in accordance with the law — identifying all violators and taking appropriate measures,” Siradze said.