Police Detain At Least 17 During Violent Eviction on Tvalchrelidze Street

The Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed all 17 individuals were charged under Article 173 of the Administrative Offenses Code for disobeying a lawful request by a police officer. This offense can result in a fine of ₾2,000 to ₾5,000 ($740-$1,850) or up to 60 days of administrative detention. 

The National Bureau of Enforcement, supported by police, initiated the eviction of residents, including internally displaced families, from buildings at Tvalchrelidze N1 on Thursday morning, an operation that immediately met with resistance.

Tensions flared periodically throughout Thursday's operation. In one incident, a man reportedly fell ill as police attempted to detain him.

The National Bureau of Enforcement stated that the buildings were "fully dilapidated and dangerous to the lives of the people living there." 

Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze echoed this sentiment, declining a meeting with Tvalchrelidze Street residents on Thursday. He argued the buildings were private property and “the city municipality has no direct involvement.” 

"The private owner has won the dispute. A certain number of people had trespassed into these buildings. The building is dilapidated. Accordingly, it needs to be vacated. Besides the owner winning the court case, it is also dilapidated, and for the safety of the people, they will be removed," Kaladze said.

The eviction order followed a court ruling in favor of the company Black Sea Property. Residents, some of whom claim to have lived in the buildings for years, said they have nowhere else to go.