“We would like to inform the public regarding the incidents revealed during Municipal elections on October 2, 2021 and the response of the Ministry of Internal Affairs thereto.

In general, the elections were held in a peaceful atmosphere.

The police has launched investigation on 16 criminal cases throughout Georgia for this stage.

In particular:

Law enforcers have launched an investigation under Article 126 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, on the fact of physical confrontation which occurred near the N30 polling station in Ponichala settlement.

Investigation was launched in Kvareli district Division in accordance with Paragraph I of the Article 1261 of the Criminal Code of Georgia on the fact of violence on the territory adjacent to N 10 polling station.

As for the fact of confrontation at N 22 polling station in Naduknari Village of Akhmeta region, law enforcement authorities have launched an investigation under the paragraph I of the Article 1621, which envisions violence at the polling station or on the territory adjacent thereto.

On the fact of confrontation that took place at the polling station N52 located in Dashtapa village of Marneuli Municipality, investigation was launched under the Article 117 of the Criminal Code of Georgia – intentional infliction of grave injury. One person has already been detained with regards to the mentioned fact.

Investigation was launched under the paragraph 1 of the Article 1621, on the fact of verbal confrontation which took place between the election observers at N 50 polling station of Kirovakani Village of Akhalkalaki Municipality.

Investigation was launched by Senaki Police under the paragraph 1 of the Article 1621 - on the fact of confrontation at N 7 polling station on the territory adjacent to N7 polling station in Senaki.

Kvemo Kartli Police has launched an investigation into the confrontation on the territory adjacent to the N48 polling station in the village of Kizilajlo, Marneuli Municipality, under the Paragraph I of Article 1621 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which stipulates violence in the vicinity of the polling station.

In addition, an investigation was launched on the fact of assault on the polling station N83 in the village of Kizilajlo, Marneuli municipality under Article 1621, Paragraph I of the Criminal Code of Georgia, envisaging violence in the vicinity of the polling station.

The investigation on the fact of confrontation which took place last night in Gardabani, is in progress under paragraph I of Article 126 of the Criminal Code of Georgia.

Zugdidi Police launched an investigation under Article 154, Paragraph I of the Criminal Code of Georgia on the fact of illegal interference with the journalist’s professional activities at the 84th polling station in Zugdidi.

Another investigation has been launched under Article 154 of the Criminal Code of Georgia on the fact of illegal interference with the journalist’s professional activities on the territory adjacent to the 24th polling station on Kiev Street in Tbilisi.

In addition to the mentioned, on October 3, the officers of the Central Criminal Police Department launched an investigation on the fact of cyber-attack of the election-information website of Georgian Dream, under Article 285, Paragraph I and Article 286, paragraph I of the Criminal Code of Georgia.

Police launched an investigation under Article 163 of the Criminal Code of Georgia on the fact of damaging the ballot box and electoral register at the polling station N19 in the village of Natsuli, Lentekhi Municipality.

Police has launched an investigation into the fact of repeated voting at the 48th polling station in the village of Kizilajlo, Marneuli Municipality, under Article 1643 of the Criminal Code of Georgia.

The law enforcers also launched an investigation on the fact of violence in the village of Mamati, Lanchkhuti municipality and on the territory of one of the polling stations on Nakaduli Street in Tbilisi.

Police made response on up to two hundred incidents in vicinities of polling stations on the Election Day, based on the received reports and information spread by media. In connection with violations under Electoral Code, the police took relevant measures provided by law – initially, individuals were given a warning and only in one case, 2000 GEL fine was imposed to one citizen in accordance with the Code of Administrative Offences.

Police arrested 7 people across the country for administrative offenses in particular, on the fact of disobedience to the lawful request of the police and hooliganism. 3 people were detained in Marneuli, 2 people in Aspindza, 1 person in Lanchkhuti and 1 person in Tbilisi.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia continuous active cooperation with international observatory missions local non-governmental organizations and the office of public defender”, - reads the statement.