The Ministry of Internal Affairs [MIA] announced the detention of 8 persons accused of attempting to block a strategic or particularly significant site as part of a protest on Agmashenebeli Alley Tbilisi.

“As the public is aware, on the afternoon of February 2, protesters began gathering and later moved toward the outskirts of Tbilisi.

Officers from various units of the MIA were present at the gathering sites to ensure public safety and order, maintaining constant communication with the protest organisers and participants.

Despite multiple warnings issued by the MIA and repeated instructions from law enforcement officers on the scene to refrain from blocking the international highway [according to Government Resolution No. 361 (October 23, 2024), highways of international importance are classified as strategic or special-importance objects. Additionally, Resolution No. 407 (June 18, 2014) designates the Tbilisi-Senaki-Leselidze highway - encompassing Agmashenebeli Alley - as an international road], some protest participants refused to comply with lawful police orders.

Shortly after the demonstration began, they entered the roadway and attempted to block traffic.

The detainees have been accused of the attempted group obstruction of a strategic or specially significant site. They face up to 4 years in prison if convicted.

The investigation into other individuals involved in the highway blockage is ongoing to identify and hold them accountable”, - reads the statement.

While authorities have not officially disclosed the identities of the detainees, media reports suggested they include Irakli Tsignadze, Irakli Tabatadze, Nikoloz Kutubidze, Vasil Eliava, Nikoloz Kumsishvili, Aleksandre Gogoladze, Dimitri Bidzinashvili, and opposition leader Gigi Ugulava.

The demonstration followed a decree issued last week that designated highways of international importance as critical infrastructure. Under the new regulation, obstructing such routes is now classified as a criminal offence, carrying a prison sentence of up to four years.