UPDATED: police detain one for shooting near business center in Sololaki district of Tbilisi during protest
One of the supporters of the United Opposition bloc who took part in the rally Besik Gazdeliani told reporters that about five gunshots were heard, the aim of which was to intimidate activists. Photo: Mzia Saganelidze/ Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Tbilisi.
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Updated: 18:56
Police officers have detained one individual who shot several times from his vehicle while driving through the tunnel located near the business center of Bidzina Ivanishvili.
Law enforcers detained A.R. several hours later after the crime took place. Police seized a signal pistol with two cartridges as evidence. Police have also seized six bullets from the place of crime.
The detainee has already pleaded guilty. A.R had one prior conviction for armed robbery and now is accused of the illegal purchase and possession of a firearm.
The crime is punishable by three to seven years’ imprisonment.
Earlier: 17:04
Gunshots were reported earlier today near the business center of ruling Georgian Dream party head Bidzina Ivanishvili during an opposition rally protesting the results of the 2020 parliamentary elections.
One of the supporters of the United Opposition bloc who took part in the rally Besik Gazdeliani told reporters that about five gunshots were heard, the aim of which was to intimidate activists.
Someone fired, apparently, who was a supporter of the Georgian Dream. They were driving a car. We could not see it, but there were cameras at every step", Gazdeliani said.
Empty cartridges were found on the ground. The police have cordoned off the area with yellow ribbons.
An opposition motorcade in Tbilisi has taken to the capital’s streets urging the public to attend the opposition rally on November 8 in central Tbilisi and ‘protect their votes.’
Georgian Public Defender Nino Lomjaria has urged opposition parties to ensure strict observance of all recommendations, rules and restrictions during their election protests imposed to prevent the further spread of coronavirus.
The ruling Georgian Dream party Executive Secretary Irakli Kobakhidze was questioned at the State Security Service of Georgia over his recent statements concerning the ‘revolutionary scenario’ which he had claimed the opposition was planning to develop amid the parliamentary elections.
Member of opposition party European Georgia Irma Nadirashvili states that the founder and the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party Bidzina Ivanishvili is ‘more dangerous for Georgia than Covid-19,’ responding to the statement of Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia that opposition rallies will cause a sharp increase in coronavirus cases.
The State Security Service of Georgia has launched an investigation into the conspiracy intended to overthrow the state power. The investigation was launched on October 1 based on ‘operative information’ claiming that ‘certain people were planning to violently overthrow the government’ if the results of October 31 parliamentary elections would not be beneficial for them.