Patrol Police Director condemns violence against officer at Tbilisi rally, promises “severe punishments”

Vazha Siradze, the Director of the Patrol Police Department of the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs, on Monday said a participant of an ongoing rally in Tbilisi against the inaugural session of the country’s Parliament following last month’s general elections had assaulted a  police officer, and stressed “such acts of violence will face severe punishment”.

Siradze added the individual responsible for the attack had been detained and an investigation was underway.

One of the participants of the rally, which was recorded by various TV stations, assaulted a patrol police officer. An investigation was immediately started. The person is detained”, he said.

I urge  participants and organisers of the rally to understand that anyone who violates the law, especially in such a violent manner towards our officers, will face severe consequences. This is an unacceptable fact. Both  rally participants and  organisers must recognise that acts of violence will not be tolerated and will not go unpunished”, Siradze added.

During the first session of the 11th convocation of Parliament on Monday, protesters threw eggs at the legislative building, chanting loudly and using trumpets, domestic media reported. The protest is directed against the legitimacy of the elections.

Law enforcement is also present at the scene, forming a cordon on Zubalashvili Street to prevent rally participants from approaching the rear entrance of the Parliament.