Today, on May 13, twenty people were arrested at a protest near the parliament against the adoption of the Russian Law, three of whom are foreign citizens. Police and special forces used force against the peaceful demonstrators, as evidenced by footage showing them beating citizens both during and after the arrests.
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The Internal Affairs Ministry has accused all the detainees of violating Articles 166 and 173 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, which pertain to petty hooliganism and disobedience to the police.
"Some of the rally participants disregarded the legal request of the police, violated public order, resisted law enforcement officers, and insulted them. According to Articles 166 and 173 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, the police have detained 20 individuals at this stage. Three of the arrested individuals are citizens of foreign countries, namely G.B., a citizen of the Russian Federation born in 2002, and P.H., a citizen of the United States of America born in 1995. Another citizen of the same country refused to give his name and requested to contact the United States Embassy in Georgia," said the Internal Affairs Ministry.
The Special Investigation Service has issued a statement indicating that an investigation into the incidents of excessive force by the police against rally participants has been initiated. The investigation is based on the provisions of the third part of Article 333 of the Criminal Code, which deals with exceeding official authority through violence or the use of weapons. This offense carries a punishment of imprisonment for 5 to 8 years, along with deprivation of the right to hold office or work for up to 3 years.
The Internal Affairs Ministry began clearing the entrances to the parliament of peaceful demonstration participants a few hours before the discussion of the Russian Law in the legal affairs committee. Georgian Dream’s MPs arrived at the legislative body in cars, but citizens shouted "Slaves! Slaves!" and sent them away. Following the adoption of the law in the third reading at the session of the Legal Issues Committee, the deputies left the parliament again with the assistance of a several-row cordon of Internal Affairs Ministry employees. Subsequently, the Internal Affairs Ministry began withdrawing the special forces from the area surrounding the Parliament.
Rallies with thousands of participants against the Russian law have been taking place in Tbilisi since April 15. The ruling party intends to adopt the law in the third and final reading at the May 14 plenary session.
