During the protest rally on November 8, police detained 19 individuals for 'violating public order and disobedience to a rightful command of the police.’
First Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Kakha Sabanadze reported earlier today that during the rally 14 law enforcement officers, three media representatives and about 10 protesters received various injuries.
Some of the injured received first aid on the spot, while others continue their treatment in various clinics", Sabanadze said.
He said that yesterday's rally 'went beyond the limits established by the law on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and developed in a violent manner'.
Throughout the day, police were mobilised on Rustaveli Avenue to ensure that the protest rally in front of the Parliament was held in a peaceful environment. After the rally in front of the legislative body, the participants moved to the building of the Central Election Commission. As protesters gathered in front of CEC building, they violently took down police steel cordons, threw stones, blunt objects and attempted to break into the Central Election Commission territory, which was foiled by police'', he said.
The demonstration first started in front of the Parliament building and then moved to the building of the Central Election Commission. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
Sabanadze stated that as the protesters continued 'their violent actions' and ignored the instructions of the police, the Ministry of Internal Affairs had to use 'a special tool - a water cannon due to urgent necessity'.
He said that demonstrators still continued the attempts to break into the Central Election Commission building.
They attacked the law enforcers in groups with steel, blunt and flammable objects and stones, offered resistance and did not obey to their lawful demands. The rally participants apprehended special equipment which is police anti-riot shields... In response police once again applied a water cannon", Sabanadze said.
He said that the investigation had started to take legal responses' to yesterday's rally.
Sabanadze called on the organisers and the participants of the demonstration to 'adhere to the requirements of the law and follow the rightful demands of the police'.