Police arrest 17 at rally against Tbilisi Pride Week

Police arrested 17 participants of a right-wing rally against the ongoing Tbilisi Pride Week in the city on Saturday for non-compliance with law enforcement officers, with the development following arrests made earlier during the day.

The Georgian Public Broadcaster said the participants of the rally had gathered near the city’s Mtatsminda Park, a location for a closed event for the Pride Week, in anticipation of the planned event.

Reports said one of the participants of the rally had also attempted to set themselves on fire before law enforcement managed to “neutralise the situation”. The injured individual was taken to hospital.

The arrests followed events earlier on Saturday where 26 individuals in a rally against the Pride Week were arrested by police, and also come after right-wing groups made threats against the LGBTQ+ community’s announced event.

The Interior Ministry said it would ensure safety and freedom of expression and assembly of “each individual” during this year’s event.