Police address court to question opposition leaders on Tbilisi protests
Former government officials and current opposition leaders were summoned for questioning as a part of the investigation underway in relation to the June 20-21 protests. Photo: netgazeti.ge.
Tweet 
Share
The Georgian Interior Ministry has addressed Tbilisi City Court to question opposition leaders Gigi Ugulava, Irakli Okruashvili and Giorgi Baramidze concerning their involvement in the June 20 rally in Tbilisi which was forcibly dispersed by police.
The ministry says the former officials have refused to come in for interrogation so far, which is why they resorted to asking the court.
If the request of the Interior Ministry is accepted the opposition members will be interrogated with the presence of a judge.
The government says that the opposition triggered unrest during the June 20 rally which left 305 detained and 240 injured.
Tbilisi protests. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
Member of the United National Movement Nika Melia has been charged with incitement to violence during the rally and was released on bail last week.
Ugulava says that he is ready to “provide all details” of the rally in the presence of a judge.
I am going to tell how the government, which was in a panic, used [bear] bullets against peaceful demonstrators”, Ugulava said.
Okruashvili is a former defence minister now chairing the Victorious Georgia political movement, while Ugulava, former Tbilisi mayor, is one of the leaders of the European Georgia opposition. Baramidze, a member of the United National Movement served as vice PM under the United National Movement leadership.
Starting from today Tbilisi rallies will be focused on communication, changing the public’s views, and discussions, organisers say.“We will gather in front of the parliament building, read poems, discuss various issues, show films, discuss the films, etc.,” one of the organisers of the protests, Shota Digmelashvili said.
Opposition United National Movement party member Nika Melia, who is charged with incitement to violence during the recent Tbilisi protests, will have to wear an electronic bracelet to be monitored, as the Court of Appeals did not change the decision of Tbilisi City Court earlier today and accepted Melia’s release on bail.
Peaceful demonstrators have gathered on Rustaveli Avenue in central Tbilisi for the tenth consecutive day today, again demanding the resignation of Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia. The protesters marched from the First Republic Square to the Freedom Square in sign of peaceful protest before they would resume the demonstration in front ot the parliament of Georgia.
Georgian police have seized 12 Molotov cocktails in Tbilisi and arrested one individual, born in 1949. The Interior Ministry reports that the detainee planned to use the explosives during the protest rally which is currently underway at Rustaveli Avenue, Tbilisi.
Georgian Chief Prosecutor’s Office says that the Interior Ministry will investigate charges of “attempting a coup” on June 20, when groups of demonstrators tried to storm the parliament building in central Tbilisi.
The Georgian Interior Ministry said four people have been detained for participating in group violence during the clash of June 20 in front of the parliament of Georgia. Police say that the four other individuals, who participated in the group violence in front of the parliament, attacked police officers and resisted arrest.
The Georgian Dream ruling party and the United National Movement (UNM) opposition have proposed two different resolutions on the Tbilisi protests in parliament. The resolution submitted by the ruling party focuses on the importance of respecting state institutions, laws and the right of expression.