Ombudsman condemns violent protest

The Georgian Ombudsman has criticised a violent clash between two protest groups.

Ombudsman Ucha Nanuashvili said it was unacceptable to act violently toward others who shared a different opinion.

One group of demonstrators were protesting against views expressed in the Patriarchs Christmas epistle when they were assaulted by another group of protesters who were supportive of the religious leader's comments. A verbal clash between the two groups turned into a physical argument, which led to four people being arrested by police.

According to the Ombudsmans statement, representatives of his office had been to the site to investigate the incident and were currently analysing the information gathered.

"Unfortunately, discriminatory attitudes still become a basis for acts of violence, reads the statement released by the Ombudsmans office today.

He said the state was obliged to protect peaceful demonstrators from violent actions of third parties.

"It is essential the state takes timely and effective measures to prevent physical abuse or other violent acts, the Ombudsman said

"In [my] view it is important that all those people who committed an offence are identified and brought to justice. Appropriate punishment of offenders is a way of preventing further accidents and a guarantee of human rights.

The Ombudsman has argued for the identity of the offenders to be released. He said media outlets had released video and photographic material of the incident where the offenders can be easily identified.

The Ombudsmans office will continue to investigate the incident, which occurred in front of the Patriarchy building. He said his office would also monitor the cases of the people detained by law enforcement agencies.