15 injured people, including police officers, were taken to various medical institutions from the demonstration against the Russian Law near the parliament, which was dispersed by special forces, as reported by the Health Ministry.
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"On May 1-2, emergency coordination and emergency aid teams transported 15 people to different clinics. Some of the injured left the clinic and were discharged," the ministry stated. Their reports also indicated that yesterday, 20 emergency aid brigades were mobilized in the vicinity of the protest rally.
The maimed had various types of injuries, including wounds on the face, head, and various parts of the body, as well as intoxication and respiratory complications.
On May 1, the special forces stationed in the yard of the Parliament building used pepper spray, water cannons, foam, and fired tear gas against the demonstrators protesting the Russian Law. A 26-year-old, Nika Demurishvili, was taken to the New Hospitals clinic, who likely received a wound near the eye as a result of a rubber bullet.
"I was on the left side of the parliament, where tear gas was fired, and apparently rubber bullets were also used. I had a gas mask on and I was helping people out, giving them saline to ease the pain a little. When I took out one or two people and turned around, then something hit me - it was either a rubber bullet or a gas cylinder. I think it was more of a rubber bullet. Others have also had it,” says Nika Demurishvili.
Other demonstrators say they were hit by rubber bullets. According to journalist Dato Tamazashvili, he clearly saw that they shot from the gate of the parliament. Three bullets hit him in the legs.
Tsotne Koberidze, Girchi - More Freedom member and the Tbilisi City Council deputy, was also injured. As he says, the wounds on his stomach and hand are from rubber bullets.
The Internal Affairs Ministry denies using rubber bullets to break up the rally. Deputy Minister Aleksandre Darakhvelidze said at an emergency briefing late at night, "None of the employees of the Internal Affairs Ministry used rubber bullets." He accused the rally participants of using "flammable gasses and airs of unknown origin."
