The Ministry of Internal Affairs, in order to ensure safe conduct of manifestation and maintain public order, 10 more people were detained for non-compliance with a lawful demand of a law enforcement officer in accordance with Article 173 of the Code of Administrative Offenses.

The mentioned persons were stopped by the law enforcers, as they noticed that citizens were carrying illegal items and batons with them.

Within the framework of the mandate defined by the Law of Georgia “On Police”, according to which a law enforcement officer is authorized to carry out a superficial inspection of a person only on the outer surface of his/her clothes by hand, the police officers carried out a superficial inspection and examination. It was established that they were going to attend manifestation near the Parliament building and carried items intended for violent actions, including batons, stones, a stun gun, various types of pyrotechnics, paints and other items prohibited by law, which were seized by the police as evidence.

Employees of relevant units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs are mobilized in order to protect public order in the area surrounding the parliament building and within the frames of the mandate defined by Article 22 of the Law of Georgia “On Police” they conduct inspection procedures of the rally participants.

In addition to the mentioned, employees of Tbilisi Police Department under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as a result of operational measures and investigative activities, arrested one person under Article 353 (I) of the Criminal Code of Georgia for attacking police officers on March 7 of the current year, during the manifestation held near the Georgian Parliament.

Several other persons have also been identified, and appropriate measures are being taken to arrest them.

In accordance with Articles 166 and 173 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, a total of 76 persons have been arrested by law enforcement officers.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs continues operational measures and investigative activities in order to identify and arrest those who attacked police officers and perpetrated other violent actions during the manifestation near the Parliament building.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs again calls on all participants of the rally not to go beyond the limits defined by the law on freedom of assembly and expression, observe norms of public order and follow the lawful requests of police.

Any violation of the law will immediately be foiled by police in accordance of the acting legislation.