63 people were administratively detained at the rally held against Russian Law. The Internal Affairs Ministry has accused them of petty hooliganism and disobedience to the legal demands of the police. An investigation is underway under Article 353 of the Criminal Code, which refers to an attack on a police officer.
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Internal Affairs Deputy Minister Aleksandre Darakhvelidze stated that the rally participants attacked the police officers and attempted to break through the cordons.
"The situation became completely violent. We all witnessed how the protesters confronted the police, physically and verbally abusing them, and throwing various heavy objects, including stones and bottles, at law enforcement officers. As a result of these violent actions, six policemen were injured and have been taken to clinics for appropriate medical treatment," said Darakhvelidze.
The Internal Affairs Deputy Minister stated that in order to restore public order and de-escalate the situation, the police started using pepper spray, tear gas, and water cannons around 22:15. Darakhvelidze claims that this action was taken after issuing a warning, which the participants of last night's rally denied.
"After law enforcement officers used pepper spray, the situation stabilized somewhat. However, the protestors' actions soon turned violent again.
Following the official announcement from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and a warning issued by rally participants via loudspeaker, at around 23:40, employees of the Special Tasks Department used a water cannon and other special means to prevent illegal actions and restore law and order.
Violent actions on Rustaveli Avenue and the adjacent territories of the Parliament continued for several hours, necessitating the police to use special means more than once," said Darakhvelidze.
The Internal Affairs Ministry also accuses representatives of political parties of violent actions. According to the Deputy Minister, the National Movement Chairman Levan Khabeishvili "in order to interfere with the activities of the policemen, he broke through the police cordon, resisted them, and was injured in the process."
On April 30, during the Parliament plenary session, a rally was held in Tbilisi concurrent with the discussion of the second reading of the Russian Law. Citizens blocked Rustaveli Avenue, and some approached the entrances of the Parliament, where Georgian Dream deputies, authors and supporters of the Russian Law, were expected to exit after the session. The Special Tasks Department Employees and various units of the Internal Affairs Ministry forced the protesters to leave the area, using pepper spray, tear gas, and water cannons to disperse the peaceful demonstration. Law enforcement officers also physically assaulted the young people. Public Defender Levan Ioselian stated that the rally was peaceful and there was no justification for the use of force by the Internal Affairs Ministry.
