MIA urges citizens, opposition to ‘observe public order’ at today’s rally
MIA has called on citizens and opposition leaders to ‘observe public order’ during a protest rally which will be held today in Tbilisi. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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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.
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.
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.
Former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili, who reportedly has been on hunger strike for 38 days, has refused to receive hunger-related treatment, including tests, following the release of footage by the Georgian Special Penitentiary Service of him receiving food in Rustavi Prison No.12 on November 6.
The Lelo parliamentary opposition party has offered the government to launch negotiations with the opposition ‘immediately’ to prevent further escalation of the political situation and find a way out of the ‘existing crisis.’
The ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party chairman Irakli Kobakhidze has responded to the opposition’s demand to transfer former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili from prison to a private hospital, saying the opposition should avoid ultimatums. Kobakhidze said the government is responsible for peace, and if the opposition ‘attempts to take destructive steps, they will receive the strictest response.’
Nika Melia, the chairman of the United National Movement opposition party, has given the government 24 hours to ensure the imprisoned former president Mikheil Saakashvili is moved from prison to a private clinic, as law enforcement made arrests at the opposition's rally outside the detention facility in the city of Rustavi on Saturday.
A protest rally organised by the largest opposition party, the United National Movement (UNM), is being held on Freedom Square in central Tbilisi, where UNM head Nika Melia announced a ‘permanent’ protest, calling on supporters to stay on the spot.
The situation in front of the Administration of the Government of Georgia, where the opposition is holding a rally, has tensed after the United National Movement (UNM) member Levan Khabeishvili attempted to spray the message ‘free Misha’ in solidarity of the former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili on the square in front of the administration building. The confrontation took place between the protesters and the police as the law enforcement officials prevented Khabeishvili from making the inscription.