18 detained during rally dispersal at parliament

The Georgian Interior Ministry has reported that 18 individuals have been detained during the dispersal of a rally at parliament earlier today for hooliganism and disobedience to police.

 The Georgian media has reported the detention “of about 10,” while the official number stands at 18.

 The ministry said that the work of the Georgian parliament has restored and the central Rustaveli Avenue will reopen to traffic in the coming hours.

 Law enforcers continue to stay on Rustaveli Avenue,” the ministry said.

The Georgian Interior Ministry used water cannon to disperse the rally in front of parliament in Tbilisi after demonstrators refused to leave the territory and allow MPs in the legislative body.  

• Police give 30 minutes to demonstrators to allow MPs in parliament

The demonstrators, who were protesting the rejection of an election bill, refused to leave the area within 30 minutes, in the time given to them by the Interior Ministry.

Water cannons were used after several-time warnings to demonstrators to leave the territory, as according to the Interior Ministry protesters violated the law on assembly and manifestation through blocking the entrances of parliament starting yesterday.

Before the usage of the water cannons officials of Tbilisi City Hall also urged demonstrators to leave the territory and stop hampering the parliament’s work. 

The demonstrators are accusing the current state leadership of "breaking its promise and cheating people" as the Georgian Dream ruling party accepted the conduct of 2020 parliamentary elections with a fully proportional electoral system in the summer.