Protests resume in Tbilisi: Detainees and injured reported
Among the detainees are opposition members (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
On Sunday, February 2, protests demanding new elections resumed in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi. There are reports of arrests and casualties, according to SOVA and Ekho Kavkaza.
According to media reports, the main events unfolded near the Tbilisi Mall shopping center, where a physical confrontation took place between law enforcement and demonstrators. Protesters attempted to block the road, while law enforcement officers demanded that it be cleared, preventing the protesters from carrying out their plans. During the scuffle, several participants in the rally fell ill.
Later, Ekho Kavkaza updated its report, stating that law enforcement had detained over 30 demonstrators near the Tbilisi Mall on the outskirts of Tbilisi, as well as participants in a march along the right bank.
Among those detained were opposition figures and members of the Coalition for Change Nika Melia and Tengo Tevzadze, former Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava, and activist Dmitri Bidzhnashvili.
There were also injuries during the clashes, including a TV operator from Piveli, who was filming the events.
On January 31, the Georgian Dream government amended legislation to include international and domestic roads in the list of strategically important sites. Georgian authorities emphasized that blocking the road near Tbilisi Mall is now considered a crime under the criminal code, classified as occupation or obstruction of strategically significant objects. Participants in such actions may face imprisonment for up to four years.
No official information has yet been provided regarding whether the protesters were detained administratively for disobeying the police or under criminal charges for blocking the road.
Ekho Kavkaza reports that, according to an attorney, Nika Melia was detained in an administrative case but was soon released. The politician later stated that while in the police station, he was struck several times by law enforcement officers.
