4 detained for group violence in June 20 clash
Due to high public interest i the recent developments in Tbilisi, the Interior Ministry will be providing further updates. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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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 individuals, identified as Zurab Badaghashvili, Kakhaber Kupreishvili, Tsotne Soselia and BesikTamliani, who participated in the group violence in front of the parliament, attacked police officers and resisted arrest.
The crime is punishable by six to nine years.
An investigation is also in progress regarding opposition MP Nika Melia, who is charged with incitement to violence on June 20.
Deputy Interior Minister Vladimer Bortsvadze announced of the recent detentions at today’s briefing. Photo: Interior Ministry’s press office
240 individuals were hospitalised after the protest rally in Tbilisi on June 20, including 80 law enforcers and 32 journalists.
170 people have been interrogated during an investigation looking into the possible use of excessive force during the rally dispersal.
10 police officers have been suspended from duty for possible abuse of power during the rally and the head of the Interior Ministry Special Tasks Department has been temporarily dismissed.
- Rallies in Tbilisi were sparked after Russian MP Sergei 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Four individuals have been detained for group violence during the June 20 rally in Tbilisi, which left 240 injured and 305 detained.The Georgian Interior Ministry has released a video depicting how the detainees used rubber batons and other items to physically insult law enforcers, trying to drag away their shields and use bad language against the police.
Employee of the Special Tasks Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Levan Imerlishvili, who was detained yesterday for possible abuse of power during the rally dispersal on Rustaveli Avenue on June 20, has been sent to pre-trial detention.
Yet another police officer has been accused of power abuse against a protester during the June 20 - 21 protest held near the parliament of Georgia. The Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia reports that the police officer has been accused of physical violence towards a person that had already been arrested.