Charge of attempted coup added to investigation into June 20 rally in Tbilisi
The number of people charged in the June 20 developments in Tbilisi is likely to increase, the Prosecutor’s Office says. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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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.
After interrogating dozens of witnesses and analysing materials we have concluded that a coup was planned on June 20 and storming the parliament building was the first stage of the scenario,” the Prosecutor’s Office says.
The Prosecutor’s Office reports that it is likely the number of charged people regarding the June 20 developments to increase.
The Georgian police managed to prevent the raid on the parliament building, which would be followed by other illegal actions on the whole territory of Georgia,” the statement reads.
The Prosecutor’s office says that they have requested footage from media outlets which depicts June 20 developments. Photo : Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
The Prosecutor’s Office says that an investigation is also in progress regarding opposition MP Nika Melia, who is charged with incitement to violence on June 20.
Up to 60 individuals have been interrogated so far regarding the case [involving Melia],” the Prosecutor’s Office said.
The Georgian Dream ruling party MP Giorgi Volksi says that there are multiple videos proving an attempt of demonstrators to rush into the parliament building.
The investigation will reveal the truth,” he said.
Member of the United National Movement opposition Roman Gorsitidze says that the “government has announced political repressions, which is very unreasonable.”
As of now one opposition member, Nika Melia, is charged regarding June 20 rallies.
Member of the European Georgia opposition party Sergi Kapanadze says that the government “is in agony.”
With such steps the ruling party will neither preserve its power nor help Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia retain his post,” Kapanadze said.
Rallies in Tbilisi were sparked after Russian MP Sergey Gavrilov took the seat of the Georgian parliamentary speaker early on June 20 and addressed the audience during the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy.
People took to the streets as they believed that Gavrilov, from the occupant country, must not have been allowed to take the high tribune in the Georgian legislative body.
The government says that the “justified protest” of the Georgian people was used by the “destructive opposition” to attack state institutions.
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.
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.
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.
Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze says that Georgia’s foreign partners have no questions regarding the legality of the use of force during the June 20 rally in Tbilisi, used “to suspend the siege on the Georgian parliament and protect statehood.”
The Georgian Interior Ministry said four people have been detained for participating in group violence during the clash of June 20 in front of the parliament of Georgia. Police say that the four other individuals, who participated in the group violence in front of the parliament, attacked police officers and resisted arrest.
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.
The Georgian Dream ruling party and the United National Movement (UNM) opposition have proposed two different resolutions on the Tbilisi protests in parliament. The resolution submitted by the ruling party focuses on the importance of respecting state institutions, laws and the right of expression.
Peaceful demonstrators have gathered on Rustaveli Avenue in central Tbilisi for the seventeenth consecutive day, again demanding the resignation of Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia. People gathered at 7 p.m. in front of the parliament of Georgia and later marched to the residence of the ruling party leader Bidzina Ivanishvili in sign of protest
One more special forces employee has been detained for "abuse of power" during the dispersal of the Tbilisi protests on June 20-21. The Georgian Chief Prosecutor’s Office, which is investigating possible abuse of power by law enforcers, reported that the officer injured two demonstrators.
Anti-occupation activists, who have been protesting in front of the parliament of Georgia since June 20, have announced they will launch a public movement.