26 November 2019, 18:24
Police set free activists detained near Georgian parliament building
The police drew up protocols against 28 activists detained on Tuesday, and they were released under recognizance not to leave. During the dispersal of the rally, two protesters and a journalist were injured.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on November 25, in Tbilisi, protesters held a mass rally along Rustaveli Avenue and gathered in the square in front of the parliament building. They demanded to hold early elections under the proportional system. Special forces fighters used water cannons to push the protesters away from the entrances to the Georgian parliament building.
The demand for changes in the electoral system was voiced by participants of rallies in Tbilisi yet back in June.
The police reported that the protesters were detained under articles on failure to obey to the police and disorderly conduct.
Among the victims there was a journalist for the "Mtavari" TV Company, who injured his hand while filming a report. One of the activists got his eye injured with a powerful jet from a water cannon, wrote on Facebook Nika Gvaramiya, an owner of the "Mtavari" TV Company.
Another participant of the protest action lost consciousness. According to eyewitnesses, he came under a water cannon jet. Doctors explained that the activist had a shock because of hypothermia, the "InterPressNews" reported.
The protests have been held in Tbilisi since November 14. On November 18, law enforcers also dispersed the protesters by using a water cannon and tear gas. Then four persons were injured. At least 10 people were detained during the rally on November 21 and 22. The refusal of the "Georgian Dream" Party to hold elections in 2020 under the proportional system will strengthen the protest trend in the country, political analysts believe.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on November 26, 2019 at 11:10 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Author: Galina Gotua Source: CK correspondent
