Internal Affairs Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri announced that 40 people were administratively detained during the protests against the Russian law. Today, during his speech in parliament, Gomelauri also mentioned the crackdown on the April 16 rally, attributing it to "Inaudible insults voiced against law enforcement officers".
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"On April 15 and 16, alongside the demonstration, legislative work was ongoing. For the Ministry of Internal Affairs, it was equally crucial to ensure the safety of parliament members, staff, and rally participants. From the outset, the public witnessed a peaceful protest escalating into violence. Despite the initially peaceful nature of the protest, a faction of participants turned aggressive towards law enforcement. They threw various objects at the police, including stones and bottles, splashed paint, verbally and physically assaulted them, and disregarded lawful police orders," stated Gomelauri.
The Minister of Internal Affairs reported that five police officers were injured as a result of the violent actions, with two of them being taken to a medical institution with serious injuries.
"In total, we administratively arrested 40 people. The police repeatedly urged the rally organizers to calm the situation, although we are well aware that some forces aimed to escalate and used various methods to achieve this. Among these, late on April 16, as the rally was concluding, participants verbally insulted police officers, used profanity, and made derogatory remarks about their family members, among other things. I cannot repeat the rest; the language was too vile. Subsequently, the confrontation between citizens and police was an unpleasant sight for everyone, including myself, believe me. However, I can state unequivocally that all of this stemmed from unheard-of insults directed at law enforcement officers. An attack on a police officer is an attack on a state institution, and I emphasize that such behavior is unacceptable," stated Vakhtang Gomelauri.
Regarding the third day of protests, April 17, the Minister of Internal Affairs stated that organizers and participants attempted to confront the police deployed in front of the government administration building.
"They also attempted to break into the administrative building. There were calls to storm the Government Chancellery building, and they harassed and verbally abused the policemen. Especially active were representatives of the opposition parties, although I will not name names here. Their appeals to the police and violent rhetoric were clearly audible on TV. The public witnessed a protester armed with a cold weapon and a knife standing among them, who was promptly arrested by law enforcement officers. During his arrest, one of our employees was injured by the same knife," described the Minister of Internal Affairs.
All policemen have a duty to exercise patience, and they all understand this very well. However, this does not mean that anyone has the right to verbally or physically abuse them, throw objects, or attempt to insult their dignity. Our boys have endured numerous abuses for the sake of our country and the safety of its citizens. I want to thank them once again," stated Gomelauri.
He also stated that anyone who insults the dignity of policemen and abuses them will be severely punished.
Opposition members of parliament demanded that the violence by Gomelauri's policemen against parliament member Alexander Elisashvili be investigated. Gomelauri expressed sadness over the incident and assured that the investigative service would determine what occurred.
On the night of April 16, the special purpose squad members used pepper spray against peaceful protesters, chased citizens from street to street, physically assaulted them, and beat representatives of the media. Several rally participants were hospitalized due to the injuries they sustained.
Irakli Kupradze, the General Secretary of the Lelo party, and Gela Khasaia, a member of the Girchi - More Freedom party, who were arrested on April 16, are speaking out about the violence perpetrated by the special forces.
The leader of Citizens, Aleksandre Elisashvili, has a broken rib. He was beaten on April 17 at a rally near the Government Chancellery. According to the deputy, under the orders of the Director of the Patrol Police, Vazha Siradze, and under the supervision of the head of the Special Service of State Protection, Anzor Chubinidze, the police created a so-called "corridor of violence," involving dozens of officers who brutally beat individuals. Two days prior, Elisashvili had hit Mamuka Mdinaradze, a deputy of Georgian Dream, during a committee discussion of Russian law. He was subsequently threatened with a "sufficient answer."
