The miners’ protest in Chiatura continues as demonstrators demand the payment of overdue salaries, relief from bank obligations, the withdrawal of the Georgian Manganese company from the region, and a thorough investigation into its operations.

Protesters have declared that the newly appointed manager of the Chiatura enterprises, Mikhail Sotski, will not be permitted to enter the city. The demonstrators hold a march now and are willing to meet with Reverend Daniel.

Currently, eight protesters are on a hunger strike as a form of protest.

Tensions escalated in Chiatura on April 28 when a physical altercation occurred. According to a statement from the Chiatura Management Company, representatives of the initiative group and the picketing organizers at the Shukruti mine clashed with company officials. The statement detailed an incident in which “a group of 30 individuals blocked the vehicle of Tengiz Koberidze, the head of the working group, as he was leaving the Perevisa mine. Koberidze was forcibly removed from his car, verbally abused, and pelted with stones, resulting in injuries to his face.”

One protest participant, Tariel Mikatsadze, commented on the incident, stating, “The confrontation between the miners and the director of the Shukruti mine began after the mine director referred to us as a herd. This prompted the miners to confront him physically.”

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, four individuals have been arrested on charges of intentionally inflicting minor bodily harm.