Interior Minister gives televised explanation of June 20 developments
Protests in Tbilisi continue as one of three demands of demonstrators remain unfulfilled – the resignation of Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia for the dispersal of the rally. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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Georgian Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia has given a televised explanation about the June 20 rally on Rustaveli Avenue in central Tbilisi that was dispersed by police after a part of the demonstrators decided to storm the parliament building.
Minister Gakharia, who had planned to talk about the recent developments in the parliament of Georgia tomorrow, met with journalists today.
Gakharia said he is sorry for those injured during the recent clash, but noted that he will defend every police officer, who were forced to use their legitimate power to protect the state.
It is unacceptable to attack on those, who try to protect the state, its institutions and constitution”, Gakharia stated.
Political responsibility
Minister Gakharia said he takes political responsibility for the June 20 developments as the minister but will remain in his position until an investigation clarifies who is liable for what transpired.
I think police used their legitimate right to use force that night. There are some question marks in terms of proportionality in certain cases which also need to be investigated in details”, Gakharia said.
Today’s goal of the country is to avoid even the attempt to change the power through the violent attacks, storms and the occupation of the parliamentary hall. This should end in this country because otherwise we will always stay inside of this bewitched circle", he added.
Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia speaks of June 20 developments with the Georgian TV journalists. Photo: Interior Ministry
Using of rubber bullets
The Interior Minister also explained that the rubber bullets that were used during the clash on Rustaveli Avenue last Thursday are in line with international standards and none of them were illegal to use at similar demonstrations.
There is current protocol, which is in line with the international standard and if anyone has violated it, it is clearly captured at the cameras and if we have the evidence to proof that, of course [they] will be punished”, Minister Gakharia said.
None of the bullets which are not relevant to be used at such demonstrations according to an international standards, of course were not used and could not be used. However, whether their usage was adequate to the protocol, which allows a person the relevant right and way to use it, there may be question marks and these particular cases need to be studied”, he added.
Minister Gakharia said that individual cases of shooting at peaceful protesters from a very close distance will be thoroughly investigated and the violators will be punished.
He also said, that this rally was "absolutely peaceful from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m… until direct calls were voiced to attack the state institutions”.
Protest rallies are still underway throughout the country on teh eights consecutive day. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Tbilisi protests were sparked by the presence of Russian MPs in the Georgian parliament during the 26th Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy, when Russian MP Sergey Gavrilov took the seat of the Georgian parliamentary speaker to address the audience.
- The rally following the developments in parliament on June 20 was dispersed by police after a part of the demonstrators decided to storm the parliament building, leaving 305 detained and 240 injured.
- The Georgian Dream ruling party says that a “justified and peaceful” protest of people was transformed into violence due to the “provocative and destructive” actions by opposition members.
- A member of the UNM Nika Melia has been charged with incitement to violence during the rally.
- Protests in Tbilisi continue as one of three demands of demonstrators remain unfulfilled – the resignation of Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia [for the dispersal of the rally].
The United National Movement MP Nika Melia, who stands charged with incitement to violence during the June 20 rally in Tbilisi, has been released on 30,000 GEL [$10,000] bail.
Cartu Foundation is willing to finance treatment of injured during the clash with police in front of the parliament of Georgia on June 20-21. Avtandil Talakvadze, Director at the Emergency Situation Coordination and Urgent Assistance Centre said only ten people remain in hospitals as of today.
The United National Movement and the European Georgia opposition have boycotted the plenary session in parliament earlier today, after the Georgian Dream ruling party declined to discuss a resolution text on the dismissal of Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia, drafted by European Georgia MPs.
A peaceful demonstration in front of the parliament of Georgia has resumed on the eighth consecutive day demanding again the resignation of the Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia. The rally will resume at 7 p.m. tomorrow and will last until Gakharia's resignation, organisers say.
Peaceful demonstrators gathered in front of the parliament of Georgia in central Tbilisi for the ninth consecutive day yesterday, again demanding the resignation of Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia. Responding to the earlier calls from Georgia’s ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili to demand snap parliamentary elections, one of the organisers of the rally said their initial demands will not be changed.
Georgian Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia gave his second televised explanation about the June 20 rally on Rustaveli Avenue in central Tbilisi. Speaking with Inga Grigolia, the anchor of Tbilisi-based TV Pirveli, Gakharia said the initial protest rally “was not peaceful”.
Kakhaber Kemoklidze, the former Head of the Analytical Department of the Georgian Interior Ministry, has been appointed the chief of staff of the country’s new National Security Council. The staff of the Security Council will form an analytical centre, which operates under the Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze and Secretary General Giorgi Gakharia.
The Georgian Dream (GD) ruling party has nominated current Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia to take up the premiership, following the resignation of Mamuka Bakhtadze yesterday. Gakharia thanked Ivanishvili “for the huge trust,” and said that he will present the cabinet and the government plan for MPs in parliament later today.
The Georgian Dream ruling party candidate for the premiership Giorgi Gakharia has already submitted the names of the nominees in the new cabinet to parliament which excludes only current Defence Minister Levan Izoria and nominates current head of the State Security Service Vakhtang Gomelauri as the replacement of Gakharia.
Anti-occupation activists, who have been protesting in front of the parliament of Georgia since June 20, have announced they will launch a public movement.
Georgia is a safe and popular tourist country, said the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia David Zalkaliani at a meeting with the diplomatic corps today in Tbilisi. "Georgia is recognised as a safe country by the European Union and despite the recent situation, no incident has been observed [of assault on] foreign citizens or tourists [visiting our country]”, Zalkaliani said.
The violent June 20 clash between protesters and security services in Tbilisi and subsequent demonstrations in the capital "largely harmed" security conditions in the country, a report by Georgia's State Security Service has said.
The European Court of Human Rights has accepted applications prepared by the Human Rights Centre (HRC), asking the Prosecutor General’s Office to grant plaintiff status to journalists injured during the dispersal of June 20-21, 2019 protest demonstrations near the parliament of Georgia.