UPDATE: 8 detained while protesting deconstruction of illegally constructed buildings in ‘Africa’ settlement in Tbilisi released

Updated at 21:47

Eight individuals who were detained for disobeying a lawful order of a police officer in the ‘Africa’ settlement in Tbilisi earlier today have been released. 

Earlier 17:07

Tbilisi Municipal Inspection started dismantling twelve illegally constructed residential buildings in the settlement, which has led to a confrontation between the local population and low enforcers. 

Locals said that nobody warned them in advance about the demolition of the buildings.

They [Tbilisi Municipal Inspection employees] came suddenly and started dismantling the buildings without warning. I have a question why they did not start deconstruction before the parliamentary elections?! I ask them to provide us with shelter so that our children have a place to sleep”, said one of the locals.

Responding to the issue, Tbilisi City Mayor Kakha Kaladze stated that the individuals who built houses on the area, illegally took state property (land) in order to legalise the residential buildings in the future.

Several days ago, the Human Rights Education and Monitoring Centre (EMC) called on Tbilisi City Hall not to start the deconstruction of the illegally constructed buildings as the locals living there will be left without shelter. Photo: IPN.

Kaladze also said that no one is homeless among the locals from the Africa settlement.

These are individuals who own other houses and lands. As long as I am the mayor of the city, I will not allow the illegal embezzlement of state property. We are helping many families in order to alleviate the social and economic situation as much as possible, but this action is unacceptable”, said Kaladze.

Tbilisi mayor said those who do not have a house can use municipal shelter, which is half empty as of now.

Some locals said they don’t have any other property except residential buildings in Africa.

This photo has gone viral on social media among Georgian users. Photo: Radio Liberty/Facebook

Georgian Dream MP Sozar Subari also responded to the issue.

There are many illegal constructions in the Samgori district… Tbilisi City Hall has legalised over 1,000 houses in the last few years and this process continues, though the mentioned houses were built illegally two or three months ago. So, I could not promise the locals to legalise the mentioned buildings, as it does not fit within the law.”

Several days ago, the Human Rights Education and Monitoring Centre (EMC) called on Tbilisi City Hall not to start the deconstruction of the illegally constructed buildings as the locals living there will be left without shelter.

EMC said the illegally constructed residential buildings are often the only shelter for some individuals.