Central Criminal Police arrest five over organising group violence, “publicly inciting violent actions” at ongoing Tbilisi rallies

The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs on Thursday said officers of its Central Criminal Police Department had arrested five individuals in the capital of Tbilisi and country’s western region of Imereti for organising, leading and participating in group violence with “public calls for violent actions”.

The body said its investigation had found the offenders had “disobeyed and resisted law enforcement” at ongoing rallies in the capital against the Georgian Government's decision to delay European Union accession talks until 2028, and “actively participated in group violence” by throwing “various objects” toward police officers.

The Ministry also added during personal searches of the arrested persons, law enforcement had seized mobile phones, computer equipment, military clothes along with gas masks.

Searches of homes of the individuals also led to firearms, a large amount of money, memory cards and computers being seized.

The body also said 13 persons had been detained with charges of organising, leading, or participating in group violence and “publicly inciting  violent acts”, while one had been arrested on the charge of setting off an explosion.

Within the current protests, law enforcement has also arrested nine individuals with charges of damage or destruction of property and assaults on police officers.