After the statement of Ministry of Internal Affairs was released, law enforcement officers began removing tents and vehicles blocking the road from the area around Chavchavadze Avenue and Varaziskhevi.

“As is known to the public, a gathering/manifestation has been taking place in the area adjacent to Chavchavadze Avenue and Varaziskhevi for the past two days, fully occupying the transport routes. Various types of construction materials have been placed artificially to block the road as well.

We would like to remind the public that the right to assembly, manifestation and expression is protected by the legislation of Georgia. At the same time, the legislation of Georgia defines the legal regulation for exercising the right to assembly and demonstration, to fully ensure the protection of others rights, public safety, the protection of proper functioning of various organizations and smooth operation of transport.

The state is obliged to maintain a fair balance between the freedom of assembly/manifestation and the rights of individuals who live, work, study, and operate business in the places where the assembly or demonstration is taking place. These individuals should not be deliberately deprived of continuing their activities.

In addition to the mentioned, according to the Article 11(1) of the Law of Georgia “On Assemblies and Manifestations”, it is not allowed to block the traffic roadway, otherwise considering the number of participants. It is also not allowed to block the traffic roadway with vehicles, various constructions and/or objects.

Freedom of assembly and expression does not define the right to deliberately disrupt traffic movement and the normal rhythm of citizens’ lives.

The public clearly witnessed that the participants of demonstration were given enough time to express their opinion and protest.

Taking into consideration all the above mentioned facts, in accordance with the Law of Georgia “On Assemblies and Demonstrations” and the Law of Georgia “On Police”, in order to restore traffic movement, clear up the space for people on sidewalks, ensure the normal functioning of communal services and the usual rhythm of citizens’ lives, the Ministry would like to call on the participants of the assembly/manifestation to clear up the area adjacent to Chavchavadze Avenue and Varaziskhevi from artificially erected constructions, to cease gathering/manifestation on the traffic roadway and express protest in full compliance of norms defined by the acting legislation.

According to Article 13 of the Law of Georgia “On Assemblies and Manifestations”, the organizers and participants of the assembly/manifestations will be given a 15-minute period to take all appropriate measures for re-opening the roadway and restore traffic movement. Otherwise, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will resort to measures provided by the acting legislation of Georgia.

Organizers of the gathering/demonstration and participants are requested to follow the rightful request of the police”, - reads the statement.