Georgian Interior Ministry urges protest organisers, participants to act within legal framework

The Georgian Interior Ministry on Saturday mobilised police units across the capital city of Tbilisi ahead of the opposition’s rally, calling on organisers and participants to act within the framework of the law and respect the lawful instructions of law enforcement officers.

In its official statement, the Ministry underlined that ensuring public safety and maintaining order remain its primary objectives.

“We call on the rally organisers and participants to hold the gathering-manifestation within the framework established by Georgian legislation, comply with the lawful requests of police officers, and not interfere with the performance of their official duties”, the statement said.

Authorities emphasised that any violations of the law during the demonstration would trigger an appropriate legal response.

“Every instance of law violation will be met with an appropriate legal response from the police”, the Ministry concluded.

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Friday said the rally announced for October 4 - the local elections day - would mark a moment when several opposition parties, NGOs, and groups would officially reveal themselves as radical extremist organisations.

Former high-ranking Georgian generals Mamuka Kurashvili and Zaza Gogava, who previously served in the United National Movement’s political council, released a joint statement distancing themselves from violent plans and urging participants to avoid provocations.