“At approximately 8:00 p.m. today, several protesters gathered on Rustaveli Avenue and attempted to block the road unlawfully,” the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) said in a statement.

According to MIA, up to 20 individuals involved in the protest have been subject to administrative detention.

“Despite repeated warnings from patrol police officers, who advised the protesters not to engage in unlawful actions, and emphasised that their numbers did not grant them the legal right to block the road, the protesters failed to comply with police instructions. Consequently, up to 20 participants directly involved in attempting to block the roadway unlawfully have been detained under administrative procedures,” the MIA explained.

Furthermore, the Ministry reported that a young woman who climbed onto a police patrol vehicle was detained on charges of hooliganism.

“As for the young woman who disregarded lawful police orders, climbed onto a patrol car, and insulted law enforcement officials, their dignity, and their uniform, as well as the public, she has been detained under Article 239 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which pertains to hooliganism.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs once again urges rally participants to refrain from artificially and unlawfully blocking the road and from committing criminal offences. Failure to comply will result in the enforcement of appropriate legal measures,” the statement concluded.