14 people were arrested at the peaceful demonstration against the Russian law near the parliament. The Internal Affairs Ministry accuses them of petty hooliganism and disobedience to the legal demands of the police.
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Zurab Japaridze, the leader of Girchi - More Freedom, stated that his fellow party members Imeda Kldiashvili and Davit Endeladze are among those arrested.
"Law enforcement officials repeatedly called on the organizers and participants of the rally to comply with the legal requests of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, not to exceed the limits of freedom of assembly and expression permitted by law. However, the rally participants did not adhere to these requests. They disrupted public order, resisted law enforcement officers, and verbally insulted them. As a result, the police arrested 14 individuals in accordance with Articles 166 and 173 of the Code of Administrative Offenses. The Ministry of Internal Affairs stated that one of its employees was injured as a result of the violent actions of the rally participants and received appropriate medical assistance."
On April 15, in Tbilisi, on Rustaveli Avenue, thousands of people gathered parallel to the discussion of the Russian law in the Legal Affairs Committee of the Parliament. The Ministry of Internal Affairs mobilized a large number of policemen, special forces, and special equipment, including a water jet machine. The participants of the rally intended to circle the parliament building with a procession, which the law enforcement officers did not allow.
Despite the protest, the parliamentary majority at the committee session supported the bill restricting independent media and civil society, after which the leaders of Georgian Dream left the legislative body with the help of law enforcement officers.
Some of the rally participants remained at the parliament building throughout the night.
