According to Batumi police chief Irakli Dgebuadze, the law enforcement officers were on board the cruise liner Astoria Grande for the purpose of inspection and this was done in compliance with the law.

"The police inspect any cruise ship that enters Batumi port and take appropriate measures, this is a standard procedure. Accordingly, the police entered the cruise ship in compliance with the law," said Dgebuadze.

As for the journalists' question, whether the throwing of garbage by the passengers of the cruise ship was a sufficient precondition for their arrest, according to Dgebuadze, "the police act accordingly in response to any violation of order".

In addition, according to his information, at the moment, 10 people have been detained at the rally.

For information, the Astoria Grande cruise liner that arrived from Sochi was met with a protest in Batumi port. Citizens and representatives of opposition parties are holding a demonstration near the port.

Citizens started gathering late at night. A large number of police officers are mobilized and iron dams are installed on the spot.