Police arrest 46 at UNM opposition rallies in Tbilisi

Georgian law enforcement arrested 46 individuals at rallies organized by the United National Movement (UNM) in Tbilisi earlier today, including at the buildings of the State Security Service and the Ministry of Health. 

• UNM gathers in front of parliament, announces rallies on Saakashvili's trial

The Georgian Interior Ministry says the UNM activists violated the law of assembly and demonstration, attempting to block state buildings and disobeying police officers. 

Georgian law prohibits the blocking of entrances of state buildings,” said the ministry, and called on the opposition and its supporters to act within the law. 

UNM activists and police at the State Security Service building. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.

The UNM held three rallies earlier today. 

Along with the rallies at the State Security Service and the Ministry of Health, demonstrators also gathered in front of the Ministry of Justice of Georgia. 

One more rally by the UNM is now being held at Tbilisi City Court, where a trial involving former president of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, is taking place. 

Two of three opposition demands concern former president Mikheil Saakashvili. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.

The opposition is demanding the transfer of Saakashvili to a public clinic from a prison hospital, his release from prison, and the annulment of recent municipal election results.

They say rallies will not stop until all their demands are fulfilled by the government. 

The opposition claim that the Georgian Dream government is trying to frighten people by arrests.