In the early morning, the police used force to disperse a peaceful protest on Chavchavadze Avenue, near Tbilisi State University. As per available information, at least ten people were arrested, including Sergi Baramidze, an operator for the TV company Mtavari Arkhi, who was carrying out his professional duties.
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Before the crackdown on the demonstration began, the Ministry of Internal Affairs issued a statement saying they were giving the protesters 15 minutes to clear the carriageway and restore traffic. Hundreds of patrol police officers and special tasks department personnel were mobilized at the scene.
"For the past two days, a gathering/demonstration has been taking place in the area adjacent to Chavchavadze Avenue and Varaziskhevi, during which the roadway has been fully occupied, and various structures have been placed to artificially block the road. The right to freedom of assembly and expression does not include the right to deliberately disrupt traffic or the normal rhythm of citizens' lives. The public clearly saw that the participants were given enough time to express their views and register their protest," the Ministry of Internal Affairs stated.
After the rally was broken up, the protesters moved to Melikishvili Avenue, where their detention continued. Several participants of the rally told the media that police officers used pepper spray against them.
