Police and Protestors clash over family’s eviction in Tbilisi

Tbilisi, Georgia: A violent confrontation broke out between the police and the protesters over an eviction process in Tbilisi on Saturday. The protesters resisted the National Bureau of Enforcement of the Ministry of Justice, which was carrying out the court’s order to evict a family from an apartment on Kekelidze Street.

The police units were mobilized on the scene since the morning to ensure public safety and law and order. However, as soon as the enforcement officers arrived at the apartment, the protesters physically opposed them and refused to let them enter the building. 

The protesters also verbally and physically abused the law enforcement officers and used an unknown substance in the form of a spray tan against them. In addition, various objects were thrown at the police from the window of the apartment.

The police responded by using proportional force and arresting 18 persons for disobedience to a policeman’s legal request and violation of public order. Two more persons were arrested for deliberately damaging a car belonging to the National Bureau of Enforcement.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia launched an investigation into the incident under Article 353 of the Criminal Code, which stipulates criminal liability for assaulting a police officer, a special penitentiary service employee or another representative of the government. Another investigation was initiated under Article 187 of the Criminal Code, which deals with group damage of an object.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs stated that it will not tolerate any violence or unlawful actions against the police or the enforcement officers who are performing their duties by the law. The Ministry also urged the protesters to respect the court’s decision and avoid provocations or disturbances.

National Bureau of Enforcement

The National Bureau of Enforcement of the Ministry of Justice is a legal entity of public law under the Ministry of Justice, which is responsible for executing the court’s decisions and other enforcement documents. The Bureau provides various services, such as registration of commutative contracts, mediation, and debt collection.