Police detain five as Russian-encouraged demonstrators and rival groups clash in Tbilisi
The individuals were detained for petty hooliganism and the usage of soviet symbols. Photo: IPN.
Tweet 
Share
Police have detained five individuals and later released them after the participants of the Russian-encouraged Immortal Regiment march- held over May 9 to commemorate the victory of the Soviet Union against Nazi Germany-and their opposers clashed near Vake Park in central Tbilisi earlier today.
Groups opposing the immortal regiment’s march stated that they will never tolerate the occupation of the two occupied regions of Georgia Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) by Russia.
Georgian Vice Parliament Speaker Tamar Chugoshvili has reacted to the rally, stating that Russia is an occupant state and she is disappointed when people in the country think differently.
However, she added that the freedom of expression is protected in Georgia.
Georgia is celebrating the 74th anniversary of the when Nazi Germany was defeated by allied forces and the World War II was over. On this date, WWII veterans, state officials and the public gather at Vake Park to commemorate the day and lay wreaths at the memorial to the Unknown Soldiers.
The number of living veterans decreases year by year in Georgia. According to the State Service of Veterans Affairs data 769 WWII veterans were registered last year.
Today WWII veterans gathered at Vake Park to commemorate the day and lay wreaths at the memorial of the Unknown Soldiers who served in Georgia’s Armed Forces.
Georgia is today celebrating the 72nd anniversary of Victory Day when Nazi Germany surrendered to the Soviet Union to mark the end of the Second World War.
The body of a Georgian soldier, Khutu Miminishvili, who has been missing since 1941, has been found in Russia, near Petersburg.