Mamuka Mdinaradze, the leader of the parliamentary majority, stated on the government's propaganda TV channel Imedi that there were not even 20 000 people at the rally against the Russian Law on Europe Square. He made this statement in response to a journalist's remark that "the opposition media are talking about unrealistic numbers - as if there are about 100 thousand people standing in Europe Square."
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"Whatever they say, it's madness... let's see how it is. Let me explain. Many people know this, but I'll explain anyway. When there's a very large crowd, that's what it's called, four people can fit in one square meter. Now, if there's a crowd and there are 100 000 people, they should occupy at least 25 000 square meters. Imagine how much nonsense they're saying. From what I see, there should be a maximum of 5 000-6 000-7 000 square meters, assuming average visibility. If you want to increase the number of people, you could go up to 20 000. But from what I'm seeing, it's not even dense enough to multiply six by three, let's say it's not crowded. About 12 000-14 000-17 000 [people], you can't count it exactly, it's still possible. If there's a final photo, you can count it, but there's no way there are 20 000 people considering the density and the area there," said Mamuka Mdinaradze. He also noted that 15 000 people are significant, he should account for them, and said:
"People who are organizers, you are the ones causing harm. Those of you who truly believe in this harm are misguided. It's simple... At least ten times as many people, 200 000, told us on the streets: 'Don't retreat, protect our land, language, faith; Protect our sovereignty'," said Mdinaradze.
The organizers of the protests have announced another demonstration on May 12 at 10:00 p.m. near the Paraliament. Citizens are planning to spend the night there.
On Monday, May 13, starting at 9:00 a.m., the Russian law will be discussed in the Legal Affairs Committee of the Parliament, and the following day it will be brought to the plenary session for voting.
