Interior Ministry launches investigation into social media call for attack on Gov’t Administration

The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs has launched an investigation against an individual who allegedly called for smashing the windows of the first floor of the Government Administration building located in central Tbilisi via social media on Tuesday. 

The ministry said its investigation had already established a 33-year-old identified only as S.J. had “publicly called on citizens” through a social media platform to damage the infrastructure of the government offices during a protest scheduled later on the same day.

The individual appealing to the public with the message has been identified and summoned for questioning, the ministry added. The charge - for “public call for violent action” - is punishable by a fine or community service for a term of 200 to 400 hours. 

• Interior ministry launches investigation into police brutality following video footage

In its message the ministry also called on participants of the scheduled demonstration, as well as political leaders and organisers, to “observe the requirements of the law and adhere to the rightful demands of the police,” adding “any violation of the law will be immediately foiled by police and followed by appropriate legal response.”

A rally was held yesterday in front of the country’s parliament, with protesters expressing solidarity with the Ukrainian people facing the Russian military assault since last week, and criticising the government for not joining sanctions against Russia imposed by various other countries.