Police detain 8 demonstrators in front of parliament
Civil activists were protesting against the fact that the law enforcers did not allow them to set up tents to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first Georgian constitution. Photo: On.ge
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Georgian police have detained eight demonstrators who were trying to set up a tent in front of the parliament building earlier today.
The Interior Ministry has announced that the individuals were detained for ‘disobedience to the lawful request’ of law enforcement officers.
Patrol police representatives offered protesters several times an alternative place to set up a tent. It is notable that the protesters had their tent set up near the legislative body for several months, which remained intact and police did not interfere”, the interior ministry said.
The ministry has called on the organisers and participants of the rally ‘to maintain public order, refrain from extremely provocative actions, verbal abuse of police officers and follow the rightful demands of law enforcers’.
During protest rallies, police officers detained 8 people in accordance with Article 173 of Code of Administrative Offenses.
— MIA of Georgia (@MIAofGeorgia) February 21, 2021
MIA calls on organizers & participants of the rally to maintain public order and follow the rightful demands of law enforcers.https://t.co/PcgpmmPREx
Demonstrators had gathered in front of the parliament building earlier today to mark the 100th anniversary of the first Georgian constitution.
Shame Movement, comprised of young civic activists, cited the articles from the first constitution: "Citizens of the Republic of Georgia have the right to assemble in public and unarmed, both indoors and outdoors, without the consent of the government".
Civil activists are protesting against the fact that @MIAofGeorgia law enforcers do not allow them to protest by setting up tents over the 100th anniversary of the Georgian Constitution. Several activists have been dმarrested. https://t.co/GpSMte1Ose pic.twitter.com/yuKy8giivE
— Shame Movement (@Shamemovement) February 21, 2021
Following the confrontation with law enforcers the civic activists have been eventually detained. The interior ministry said in its statement that 'to ensure public safety, rule of law, prevention and foiling of illegal actions' to set up a tent in front of the parliament building is retsricted by law.
The European Union Delegation extends its ‘warmest congratulations to the people of Georgia’ on the 100th anniversary of its first constitution. The United States Embassy has also stated that Georgia’s first constitution ‘was an important step in a century-long commitment to joining the community of Western democracies’.
The Georgian Interior Ministry announced late yesterday that 25 individuals who had been detained by police while trying to set up tents in front of the parliament building have been released.
Police have detained 20 individuals including United National Movement opposition party members Levan Khabeishvili and Giorgi Kapanadze while they were trying to set up tents in front of the parliament building.
A century ago on February 21, 1921, the Constituent Assembly of Georgia adopted a landmark historical document that formed the basis of the country’s contemporary constitution.
Five civil activists have been detained near the ruling Georgian Dream party headquarter in downtown Tbilisi for ‘disobedience to the lawful request’ of a police officer.
Ten demonstrators have been detained near the Interior Ministry headquarters in Tbilisi for ‘disobedience to the lawful request of a police officer’.