Briefing of the director of Tbilisi Police Department, Sulkhan Tamazashvili
We would like to provide the public with information on illegal actions that took place during manifestations held on Rustaveli Avenue and in the vicinity of the Parliament Building, on the basis of which the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as a result of investigative actions conducted in cooperation with the Prosecutor's Office, arrested 6 people for assaulting a police officer and damaging property.
Through the live broadcasts of various TV channels, the public witnessed that during the current protests, political leaders, manifestation organizers and participants exceeded the limits established by the law on assemblies and demonstrations on a number of occasions.
At different times, participants of the rally attempted to break into the parliament building with violent actions, threw various objects and constructions, as well as tear gas of unknown origin, and attacked policemen on the spot.
In addition to the mentioned, participants of the rally threw various heavy objects, including bottles, stones, asphyxiant and tear gas and pieces of iron in the courtyard of the building of the Special State Protection Service, where the employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs were mobilized as well as vehicles belonging to the Ministry.
The public clearly observed how participants of the protest damaged the video surveillance cameras located on the administrative building and various items belonging to the Tbilisi City Hall.
As a result of the violent attacks carried out by participants of the rally, seven employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs were injured, one of them underwent surgery and is still undergoing treatment.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs immediately launched an investigation into the incidents and arrested 6 people on May 8-9 of the current year.
In particular, the conducted investigation established that on April 16, during the manifestation, one of the detainees threw a blunt object in the direction of the law enforcement officers, as a result of which an employee of the Special Tasks Department was injured in the eye area.
On April 16 of the current year, one of the arrested persons damaged a vehicle belonging to the Patrol Police Department.
On May 1-2, during the ongoing manifestation, two of the arrested persons damaged the video surveillance cameras of the Public Safety Command Center 112 of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
On May 1, one of the detainees damaged the iron gates of the Parliament in the course of the ongoing rally near the legislative body, and threw a stone in the direction of the employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs located in the courtyard of the Parliament, as a result of which a firefighter of the Emergency Situations Management Service was injured.
Herewith, during the ongoing protest on May 1, one of the persons damaged the external surveillance camera installed on the building of the Special State Protection Service.
Regarding the mentioned facts, the investigation is being conducted under Article 353 (I) and Article 187 of the Criminal Code of Georgia.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs continues all appropriate investigative actions in order to identify and arrest those who committed illegal actions during the current manifestations.
We would also like to inform the public on the ongoing investigation at the Central Criminal Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
In connection with the violent actions carried out by citizens during protests from April 15, 2024 up to date, related to the parliamentary session and reading of the draft law of Georgia "On transparency of foreign influence", the Central Criminal Police Department launched an investigation under three articles of the Criminal Code of Georgia on May 8 of the current year, in particular:
The investigation was launched under Article 222 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, referring to the seizure or blocking of an object of strategic or special importance.
Herewith, an investigation was also launched under Article 225 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, referring to the organization, leadership or participation in violence committed in group, and according to Article 226 of the same Code, which refers to the organization of a group action that grossly violates public order or is related to clear disobedience to the legal request of a government representative, causing a disruption of work process of transport, institution or organization.
In connection with the mentioned criminal cases, the Ministry of Internal Affairs conducts intensive investigative actions, including the study of all appeals, public speeches and callings, as well as video materials, containing signs of a criminal offense.
Within the frames of the ongoing investigation, the investigation body will interview organizers of the protest, political leaders and those who may be related with the mentioned criminal cases.
As is known to the public, the protests are still ongoing and the Ministry of Internal Affairs once again calls on the participants of the protest to observe public order, not to exceed the norms defined by the law on assembly and demonstration, and refrain from violent actions.
