Georgia's Interior Ministry rejects “false accusations” over law enforcement’s handling of public protests

Georgia's Ministry of Internal Affairs on Friday rejected “false accusations spread by non-governmental organisations and political groups” over actions of law enforcement during ongoing protests in capital Tbilisi and the country’s other regions against the Government's decision last month not to include European Union accession talks in its agenda until 2028. 

In an official statement, the body claimed the allegations were “part of an effort to discredit law enforcement officers”. 

The MIA also said the public had witnessed instances where peaceful protests occurred without violent incidents, and the police had taken “necessary measures” to allow participants to “freely express their views”. 

When a protest rally is taking place within the framework of a peaceful assembly and there are no violent incidents, the police ensure all necessary measures so that the participants of the rally have the opportunity to freely express their protest”, the body said. 

However, the Ministry highlighted that some rallies, especially those on central Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi, near the Parliament building, had “turned violent, exceeding legal norms”. 

It is noteworthy that the goal of some of the people attending the rally was to carry out violent actions from the very beginning”, it said, citing “evidence of illegal items” such as stones, iron structures, and pyrotechnics being brought to the protests.

The Ministry claimed police actions had been aimed at “de-escalating tensions and maintaining order”.

Before using special means, the participants of the rally were constantly warned in advance, both through official statements and on the spot, using special sound equipment”, it added.

In comments on injured protesters, the Ministry said law enforcement officers had also been injured while detaining “violent individuals” who had allegedly resisted arrest. 

The public clearly saw that the police were detaining violent individuals, who in many cases resisted law enforcement officers”, it said, and noted 171 police officers had been injured, with some suffering “severe injuries”, including burns from pyrotechnics and impact of stones thrown by protesters.

The Ministry also emphasised an investigation was underway into “any possible excessive use of force”. 

An investigation is underway at the Special Investigation Service, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs is actively cooperating with the investigative agency”, the MIA said. 

In addition to the “violent actions” during the protests, the Ministry addressed “criminal activities” it said had occurred during the protests, including robbery and theft. 

A number of criminal acts have been recorded since the protests erupted on November 28. About 60 cases of theft, [where] various types of inventory, money, clothing, and various items have been stolen”, the statement said. 

In response to accusations about seizure of personal belongings from detainees, the Ministry clarified the legal basis for such actions. 

The police, in cases provided for by law, have the right to temporarily seize or restrict the actual possession of a person’s item”, the MIA said, assuring the public that any seized items had been returned in accordance with the law upon the detainees' release.

The Ministry concluded by rejecting the allegations of unlawful actions, claiming the information about illegal seizure of personal belongings was “false and aimed to undermine the integrity of law enforcement”.