MIA urges citizens, opposition to ‘observe public order’ at today’s rally

The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Georgia has called on citizens and opposition leaders to ‘observe public order’ during a protest rally which will be held today on Freedom Square in the capital of Tbilisi.

Opposition leaders announced a mass demonstration in the centre of Tbilisi following the government dismissal of their demand to transfer the former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili from prison to a private hospital for treatment.

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Saakashvili, who was arrested in Tbilisi on October 1 after a clandestine return from eight years in political exile, considers himself a ‘political prisoner’ and claims to be on a hunger strike.

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MIA said that their employees will be mobilised at the rally to maintain security measures and prevent ‘artificial escalation of events.’

The law enforcement body asserted that the citizens have the right to ‘hold peaceful assemblies.’ However, they noted that blocking administrative institutions is prohibited by the law.

Any violation of the law will be immediately foiled by police and will be followed by appropriate legal response, they wrote.

The chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party Irakli Kobakhidze responded to the opposition’s demands earlier today, saying that if the opposition ‘attempts to take destructive steps, they will receive the strictest response.’

Today’s demonstration is scheduled for 8 p.m. Tbilisi time.