When you put a hand on one eye, remember about those police officers who lost 95% of their eyesight during the attack – Giorgi Gakharia, Minister of Internal Affairs said in live air of TV Pirveli on July 11 when speaking about June 20-21 events in Tbilisi.

He said that every case of excess of power was being investigated by the General Prosecutor’s Office. “Hundreds of police officers served their direct duties and protected the statehood from violence and institutional collapse. . .  Use of force on part of the police was legitimate and proportional,” Gakharia said.

When asked whether he issued all the orders on the night of June 20, the minister said that he issued the order about the dispersal of the rally.

“I issued the order, especially after the protest got violent. I acted within the constitution and the legislation of Georgia. The main responsibility of the police and the Ministry of Internal Affairs is to protect the institutions and public order in the country,” Gakharia said.

As for the orange bullets used during the dispersal of the rally, the Minister said that the police have the right to use such bullets.”This orange bullet is not lethal and it can be legally used all over the world, including in Georgia,” said Gakharia.

Resignation of Minister of Internal Affairs Giorgi Gakharia remains the main demand of protesters who have been gathering in front of the parliament building at Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi since June 21 after the so-called Gavrilov Night when the protest was dispersed by the riot police with the use of tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon. About 240 people both civilians and law-enforcers were injured during the night of June 20-21.