The Ministry of Internal Affairs has launched an investigation into the events that took place during the rally in Tbilisi.

As Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Aleksandre Darakhvelidze stated at the briefing, the investigation was launched under Articles 317, 187, 222 and 225 of the Criminal Code, which include assaulting a police officer, calling for the violent change of the constitutional order of Georgia or the overthrow of state power, damaging or destroying a property, organizing, leading or participating in group violence, as well as attempting to seize or block an object of strategic or special importance.

According to him, law enforcement officers will conduct the necessary procedural and investigative actions to identify and detain all those who committed an illegal act.

“In connection with the unlawful and violent actions committed by the organizers and participants of the rally ongoing in Tbilisi, an investigation has been launched under Articles 317, 187, 222 and 225 of the Criminal Code, which include assaulting a police officer, calling for the violent change of the constitutional order of Georgia or the overthrow of state power, damaging or destroying a property, organizing, leading or participating in group violence, as well as attempting to seize or block an object of strategic or special importance.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs issued relevant instructions to the participants of the rally and called them not to exceed the limits established by law.

Despite numerous appeals made by law enforcement officers to the participants of the rally, as well as officially disseminated statements by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the members of the rally did not obey the lawful appeals of law enforcement officers.

The rally exceeded the norms established by the Law on Assembly. The organizers of the rally made calls of a violent nature. The organizers damaged the barriers of the Presidential Palace building on Atoneli and attempted to break into the building. Facts of violence were recorded.

As a result of the illegal actions taken by the participants of the protest rally, including the throwing of various objects by violent groups at law enforcement officers, according to the data available at this stage, 14 employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs have been injured.

The injured police officers have various types of health injuries, including one of them in serious condition as a result of the injuries received. We will periodically provide information about them to the public

In order to restore public order on the spot, the Ministry of Internal Affairs used special means provided for by the legislation.

We emphasize that law enforcement officers will conduct the necessary procedural and investigative actions in order to identify and detain all those who committed illegal actions.

Once again, we strongly urge all participants of the rally to obey the legal instructions of the police, not to allow the situation to artificially escalate, otherwise law enforcement officers will use all appropriate measures provided for by the law!", - Darakhvelidze noted.