Police detained 7 people for organizing and leading a group violence, participating in group violence, said today the Director of the Central Criminal Police Department, Teimuraz Kupatadze.

“Based on the high public interest, we would like to inform the public regarding the ongoing investigation at the Ministry of Internal Affairs on the fact of organizing and handling a group violence, participation and publicly calling for violent actions.

On November 28, 2024, the ongoing protest on Rustaveli Avenue, in the vicinity of the Parliament building, went beyond the norms established by the law on Assembly and Manifestation and took on a violent character, which has been persistent and intense up to date.

By means of live broadcasts, the public witnessed the aggressive and destructive actions of violent groups, which resulted in injuries of various severity, as well as in the damage to the infrastructure. As a result of violent actions, more than 150 police officers, many citizens and media representatives were injured, the property of individuals and legal entities was damaged, and the infrastructure of Tbilisi City Hall.

In connection with the violent incidents, the investigation is being conducted under Articles 225 and 239 of the Criminal Code of Georgia.

Within the frames of the ongoing investigation, based on the Court decision, law enforcement officers launched investigative activities in Tbilisi and different regions of the country from the morning of December 4.

As a result of operational measures and investigative actions, the police arrested 7 people for organizing and leading a group violence, participating in group violence. The detainees are as follows: I.A. (DoB 1990), T.G. (DoB 1999), I.M. (DoB 2005), G.G., (DoB 2004), Z.Ts. (DoB 2005), as well as persons with previous convictions: V.K. (DoB 1971) and V.K. (DoB 1974).

The committed crimes envision up to 9 years of imprisonment.

Herewith, due to urgent necessity, personal and residential houses of 6 persons were searched.

Based on the Court decision, investigative activities are being conducted in the offices of “Jiuti” movement, political parties Droa, and Girchi, as well as in the youth office of the United National Movement.

As a result of the personal search of the arrested persons, the law enforcement officers removed the following items as evidence: helmets, respirators, a large number of pyrotechnics, electronic transmission devices, computer equipment, the so called “Molotov cocktails”, paints, different types of solutions, for which appropriate examinations have been assigned.

We would like to inform the public that in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, within the frames of the ongoing protest, the criminal act committed by the violent groups is also being investigated under Articles 187 and 353 (1) of the Criminal Code of Georgia, in the course of which 6 persons have been detained at the moment.

The committed crimes envision up to 7 years of imprisonment.

The investigation is in progress to identify and arrest those responsible for the crime. Each illegal action will be followed by appropriate legal response from the side of police”, - said Teimuraz Kupatadze.