The Ministry of Internal Affairs issues a statement regarding the ongoing protest rally on the Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi.

“The protest of the rally participants on Rustaveli Avenue, in the vicinity of the Parliament building, went beyond the limits defined by the law on freedom of assembly and expression and took a violent manner.

Despite numerous appeals by the police, protesters ignore the legal requests of the law enforcement officers. They confront the law enforcement officers verbally and physically, and throw various objects in their direction.

Due to the fact that the manifestation completely went beyond the limits defined by the law on assembly and manifestation and took a violent manner, the Ministry of Internal Affairs is starting to implement measures stipulated by the law in order to restore public order.

The Ministry once again calls on the organizers of the rally, political party leaders and participants to follow the legal requests of the law enforcement officers.

The Ministry will study illegal actions that occurred during the manifestation and give an appropriate legal assessment to each of them”, - reads the statement.