Georgian deputy minister of internal affairs Aleksandre Darakhvelidze on Wednesday said planned opposition rallies at the Georgian-Russian border “at such a time” would be an “additional challenge” for the police.
Elene Khoshtaria, the leader of the Droa opposition party, and civil activists are planning to hold a rally at the border with the demand of a closure of the border amid a “mass influx” of Russian nationals following the announcement of partial military mobilisation in the country last week.
The ministry of internal affairs will take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of all persons [at the rally]. Of course, holding rallies at such times is an additional challenge for the police, however, we will take all measures prescribed by law to ensure that the rights of all participants in the assembly are protected”, Darakhvelidze said.
Droa party representatives and civil activists were earlier prevented by the police from holding a protest at the Larsi border checkpoint, and will hold a rally in Gveleti, near the tunnel connected to the checkpoint in Georgia’s north.