Georgian PM: rally dispersal lawful given ‘irresponsible politicians’ made people violate law

Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has responded to the rally dispersal on Monday and stated that police acted in full line with the law “as irresponsible politicians” made demonstrators violate the law and hamper the work of the legislative body.

We will do the same, in the full line with law, to respond to the irresponsible actions of politicians,” Gakharia said.

Gakharia stated that the freedom of expression and assembly is “fully protected in the country” and the government uses force only when demonstrators violate the law.

He stated that due to the actions of demonstrators MPs elected by people were not allowed in the parliament building and the body was unable to carry out its function.

The barriers on the streets and the fires set by demonstrators [to get warm] also created discomfort for ordinary citizens,” Gakharia said.

The protests were sparked after the reflection of the election bill last week. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agendage.

As to the question of why the MPs refused to hold a meeting to another location to avoid the dispersal, Gakharia answered that:

No one will go elsewhere when there is the parliament building. Political process must take place in parliament, media, at ballot boxes, and other locations with the protection of the freedom of expression and assembly,” Gakharia said.

Police dispersed the rally after warning the demonstrators “who violated the 9th article of the law on manifestation,” which bans blocking the entrances of parliament and hampering the work of the legislative body. 

37 were detained during the dispersal for hooliganism and disobedience to police.

The dispersal left six injured, four demonstrators and two law enforcers.

The protests were sparked after the reflection of the election bill last week, proposed by the ruling Georgian Dream party, offering the transition to a fully proportional electoral system from 2020 instead of 2024.

The ruling party accepted the changes in the summer, during the June protests in Tbilisi, to calm crowds.