We call on the participants and organizers of the rally to refrain from possessing any objects or substances that create real risks of losing the peaceful nature of the assembly, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Aleksandre Darakhvelidze said at a briefing.

In addition, the Ministry of Internal Affairs calls on the participants and organizers of the rally not to exceed the limits established by the Law on Assembly/Manifestation and to refrain from unlawful actions.

“We call on the participants and organizers of the rally to refrain from possessing any objects or substances that create real risks of losing the peaceful nature of the assembly.

We call on the participants and organizers of the rally not to exceed the limits established by the Law on Assembly/Manifestation and to refrain from unlawful actions, otherwise the police will take all appropriate legal measures to seize the prohibited items.

Also, to prevent violent actions, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will use coercive measures provided for by international law and Georgian legislation, including all special means provided for by the Law of Georgia “On Police”. We would also like to remind the public that 32 employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs were injured as a result of illegal actions taken by the participants of the protest yesterday. Also, the participants of the protest damaged the infrastructure, road surface and video surveillance cameras located near the legislative body. During the protest, 43 people were detained by law enforcement officers for disobeying the lawful request of a police officer and petty hooliganism in accordance with Articles 166 and 173 of the Code of Administrative Offenses.

An investigation is underway under Article 353, Part 1 and Article 187, Part 2 of the Criminal Code regarding the violations that occurred at the rally.

Employees of the relevant units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs will also be mobilized for the planned rally today and will maintain law and order,” Darakhvelidze noted.