Ombudswoman responds to UNM rally arrests, urges MIA to inform families of arrested
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Georgian Public Defender Nino Lomjaria has responded to the arrests of 46 citizens on today's United National Movement (UNM) rallies, saying that some families have not been informed about the whereabouts of the arrested.
The Ombudswoman said that her representatives have visited 23 arrested citizens during the day. However, some detainees still cannot be located by their lawyers and families.
Lomjaria added that even when the lawyers determine the whereabouts of their clients, they 'encounter hours of obstruction' in meeting them.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs, unfortunately, has continued the practice that is not in compliance with human rights. In particular, they do not inform family members or lawyers about the whereabouts of the detainees in a timely manner or do not inform them at all, she said.
Lomjaria called on the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) to 'immediately' inform the families and lawyers about the whereabouts of the arrested, and ensure that lawyers meet their clients 'without obstacles.'
MIA said the UNM activists violated the law of assembly and demonstration, attempting to block state buildings and disobeying police officers.
The UNM members and supporters demand the transfer of the imprisoned former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili to a civil clinic from a prison hospital, his eventual release from prison, and the annulment of the 2021 municipal election results.
They say the rallies will not stop until all their demands are fulfilled by the government.
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. The Georgian Interior Ministry says the UNM activists violated the law of assembly and demonstration, attempting to block state buildings and disobeying police officers.
Several opposition activists were detained by police at the rallies of the United National Movement (UNM) opposition party earlier today, at the buildings of the Ministry of Health of Georgia and the State Security Service.
The opposition United National Movement (UNM) members and supporters have gathered in front of the parliament building this evening in Georgia’s capital of Tbilisi, demanding former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili’s release from prison. The UNM chairman Nika Melia announced that rallies will be held in several locations of Tbilisi from tomorrow.
Georgian Public Defender Nino Lomjaria has stated that the Gldani No.18 prison hospital, where ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili was transferred earlier today, is not provided with two medical devices - MRT and catheterisation equipment - that were recommended by the medical council.
Two citizens have been injured by stones thrown during a United National Movement (UNM) rally held in front of the State Security Service (SSS) building. The stones, supposedly thrown from the roof of the residential building near the SSS, have been handed to the police for investigation.
Tbilisi City Court has sentenced the opposition United National Movement (UNM) supporter Zviad Kuprava, who was among the 46 protesters detained at the November 10 UNM rally, to five days of administrative detention. Some other detainees have been fined, while the rest are awaiting the court's decision.