Georgia: The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia informed the public about the unlawful actions that took place on Rustaveli Avenue and the Parliament Building.
Based on the investigation operations conducted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs with the Prosecutor’s Office, six people were arrested on charges of assaulting a police officer and damaging an object.
The community has observed, through live broadcasting on various TV channels, that political leaders, rally organizers, and participants have repeatedly violated the regulations for gatherings and demonstrations.
Demonstrators, at different times, with violent acts of violence, various objects and constructions, as well as using tear gas of unknown origin, attacked the Parliament building and attacked the police officers on the spot.
In addition, protesters threw various heavy objects, including bottles, rocks, ammunition, tear gas, and metal pieces, into the yard of the State Security Special Service building, where employees of the Ministry of Interior were present, and vehicles belonging to the Ministry were located.
The public could see how the protesters were damaging video surveillance cameras in the administrative building and various items on the property of Tbilisi City Hall.
As a result of the violent attacks by the protesters, seven employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs were injured; one of them had surgery and is still undergoing treatment.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs immediately started an investigation into the events, and as a result of the investigation, six people were arrested on May 8-9.
Specifically, the investigation shows that on April 16, during the protest, one of the arrested threw a vulgar object in the direction of law enforcers. As a result, a special task department employee injured his eye area.
On April 16, one of the arrested persons damaged the vehicle listed on the balance of the Patrol Police Department. On May 1-2, during the ongoing protest, two detainees damaged the video surveillance cameras of Public Security Management Center 112 of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
On May 1, one of the detainees damaged the gate of Parliament and threw a stone at the staff of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the courtyard of Parliament, which resulted in injuries by firefighters from the Emergency Management Service.
Also, on May 1, one of the people damaged the external surveillance camera installed on the State Defense Special Service building.
The investigation is carried out under the first parts of Article 353 of Prima and 187-e of the Criminal Code regarding the mentioned facts.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs is continuing all necessary investigations to identify and arrest those who committed unlawful acts during the ongoing protests.
This is where we wish to inform the public about the ongoing investigation at the Central Criminal Police Department of the Interior.
In connection with the review of the bill “Foreign Influence Transparency,” on May 15, 2024, the Central Criminal Police Department started an investigation under three articles of the Criminal Code:
Article 222 of the Criminal Code means confiscating or blocking an object of strategic or particular importance.
Also, article 225 of the Criminal Code refers to organizing, leading, or participating in group violence. Article 226 of the same Code, which grossly violates public order or is related to blatant disobedience to the legal request of a government representative or who has committed transport, institution, or organ Delay in the work of the Nation, has been caused.
The Internal Affairs Ministry is actively investigating these criminal cases, including carrying out all summons, public appearances, and addresses and studying video footage containing signs of criminal offenses.
The investigative body will conduct investigations by law enforcers, political leaders, and all those who may have any connection with this criminal case within the scope of the investigation.
As the public knows, protests are still ongoing, and the Ministry of Home Affairs once again urges protesters to comply with public order, refrain from violating the lawful norms of gathering and manifestation, and refrain from engaging in unlawful acts.
