European Forum

Police beat opposition protesters in Georgian capital

On Monday 15 June masked police armed with sticks, attacked dozens of protesters from the youth pro-opposition groups, which were rallying outside the Tbilisi police headquarters. The demonstrators (about 50 people) were protesting against the arrest of six people who were sentenced in connection with the June 12 incident outside the Parliament, when a fight erupted between protesters and the parliament guard. Irakli Abashidze, a close ally of Irakli Alasania, leader of Alliance for Georgia, was among the protesters that were beaten-up by the police.

The Interior Ministry as well as President Saakashvili claimed in a written statement that “protesters were hindering traffic and resisted police efforts to unblock the entrance to the Tbilisi police station and restore traffic movement. Police arrested the protesters during resistance”. Eyewitnesses nevertheless told reporters that the protesters were not blocking the street and were standing in line at a sidewalk on the opposite side of a small street at the main entrance of the Tbilisi police headquarters. Moreover, police had seized cameras from journalists and a photographer for the European Pressphoto Agency and another cameraman were severely beaten. Eka Zguladze, the deputy interior minister, has acknowledged that it was the police “mistake” that several journalists were injured and impeded to perform their professional duties during the clash. Pro-opposition Tblisi television stations Maestro and Kavkasia said they, also said that their crews on the ground were attacked during the incident. After the clashes they said they would temporarily halt broadcasting in protest.

Five activists from the youth group, including its leader Dachi Tsaguria, were arrested and have been sentenced to 30 days in prison. The Tbilisi City Court has imposed fines on other protesters. Overall, a total of 39 protesters were arrested for resisting police orders, according to the Interior Ministry.

Tensions are running high in the former Soviet republic, after more than two months of opposition protests and roadblocks demanding President Saakashvili to quit over his record on democracy and last year's disastrous war with Russia. Turnout at the demonstrations has declined, but dozens of mock prison cells erected around the Parliament building continue to block traffic through central Tbilisi.


Sources: Civil Georgia; RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty