Deputy Interior Minister: 14 people detained under Administrative Code violations

Deputy Interior Minister Aleksandre Darakhvelidze on Sunday said the Ministry had detained 14 individuals in accordance with the Administrative Offences Code, while administrative proceedings had been launched against 13 others.

The Minister said protesters gathered near the Parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue on Saturday and, despite the small number of participants, deliberately blocked the roadway, disrupting traffic.

Darakhvelidze said the demonstrators violated Article 11¹ of the Law on Assemblies and Demonstrations, which prohibits blocking traffic unless required by the number of participants.

“Despite multiple calls from the police and an official statement from the Ministry urging them not to block traffic, the participants ignored the requests and continued their unlawful actions. Some of them were also wearing face coverings, which constitutes a violation of the law,” he added.

In total, 27 offenders have been identified, 14 have already been detained, while administrative proceedings are ongoing against 13 others. Their cases will be reviewed by the court in the coming days.

Darakhvelidze also warned that repeated violations could lead to criminal charges.

“We once again call on protesters to express their opinions within the law. Otherwise, the Ministry will apply measures provided by Georgian legislation,” he said.