Tbilisi Mayor defends clearing illegal street vendors near Station Square

Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze has defended the removal of illegal street vendors and structures from areas near Station Square metro station and the so-called Dezerter Bazaar, saying they had caused serious problems for pedestrian movement.

Responding to a question about the clearance operation, Kaladze said it was essential to ensure that residents could move freely through public spaces.

“There are many locations nearby where these people can move and continue their activities. As for putting the area in order, this city belongs to everyone. It is very important that citizens are able to move freely,” Kaladze said.

He said illegal street trading had caused significant inconvenience, particularly for local residents, and had made it difficult to pass through the area.

Kaladze said the Tbilisi Municipal Inspectorate had repeatedly warned street vendors to dismantle and remove illegal structures.

“Unfortunately, they did not do it themselves, despite repeated warnings from the Municipal Inspectorate, and we had to carry out the operation,” he said.