Tbilisi protests to change format, organisers say
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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.
He stated that there will be a board placed in front of the parliament building in Tbilisi, where organisres will write about planned, large-scaled events, like marches.
The demonstrators are still demanding the resignation of Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia. Photo:Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
For instance, a concert will be held in front of the parliament building tomorrow and a march will take place on July 6,” he said.
The organisers also said that small groups will appear at the sites where Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia comes, and demand his resignation for the rally dispersal on June 20.
Experts say that the rallies are coming to their end, adding that the demonstrations “have done their job.”
June 21, the day after the rally dispersal. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
Tbilisi protests were sparked by the presence of Russian MPs in the Georgian parliament during the 26th Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy, when Russian MP Sergey Gavrilov took the seat of the Georgian parliamentary speaker to address the audience.
The rally following the developments in parliament on June 20 was dispersed by police after demonstrators decided to storm the parliament building, leaving 305 detained and 240 injured.
The Georgian Dream ruling party says that a “justified and peaceful” protest of people was transformed into violence due to the “provocative and destructive” actions by opposition members.
A member of the UNM Nika Melia has been charged with incitement to violence during the rally.
The Georgian Dream government has fulfilled two of the three demands of the demonstrators. The only unfulfilled demand is the resignation of Gakharia.
Following the developments Russia decided to ban direct flights to Georgia and said that the removal of the visa regime has also been postponed.
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 Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze did not come to parliament today to present his annual report and answer the legislators’ questions, which is a violation of the rules of the legislative body. However Georgian Dream member Mamuka Mdinaradze says that the reason for the postponement is the current situation in the country
The Healthcare Ministry has reported that 17 civilians and 38 police officers have been injured after in a late night clash in front of the parliament of Georgia as law enforcers used tear gas and rubber bullets to prevent the protesters from entering the building. The protesters were leaving the demonstration after the clash but soon they returned and continued rallying.
The protesters are leaving the demonstration in front of the parliament of Georgia in central Tbilisi as the law enforcers have used tear gas and rubber bullets. The number of injured is not officially announced yet, but Georgian media reports a dozen of people have been damaged.
The European Union Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Maja Kocijancic said in today’s statement that EU considers the Russian decision to ban flights to Georgia as of 8 July “unjustified and disproportionate”. Kocijancic said the latest developments in relations between Russia and Georgia “risk having a negative impact on the citizens of both countries”.
Members of the Russians social-liberal opposition party Yabloko, who are in Georgia to participate in the Georgian Development Platform, say that they respect Georgia’s territorial integrity and justify the ongoing protest of the Georgian people triggered by the conduct of the Russian MP in the Georgian parliament.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gregory Karasin says that Russian tourists face no threats for now in Georgia.
Deputy Interior Minister Natia Mezvrishvili says that police were attacked during the June 20 rally in Tbilisi and they were forced to defend themselves and use force. Mezvrishvili says that it is less important who made the order, or whether the police acted without the order of top officials.
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.
The Georgian Chief Prosecutor’s Office says that 170 people have been interrogated during an investigation looking into the possible use of excessive force during the June 20 rally dispersal in central 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 has released a video depicting how four individuals who have been charged with vioplence at the June 20 Tbilisi demonstration use batons and other items to attack police.
Peaceful demonstrators have gathered in front of the parliament of Georgia for the 25th consecutive day tonight, again demanding Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia’s resignation. One of the organisers of the demonstrations, Shota Digmelashvili, said they will not stop until their last demand is fulfilled.
Peaceful demonstrators have gathered on Rustaveli Avenue in central Tbilisi for the fifteenth consecutive day, again demanding the resignation of Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia. Today’s rally was different from previous gatherings as it was fully devoted to Georgian musicians performing various music in front of the parliament of Georgia.