Georgian Interior Minister: “peaceful overthrow” fails, peaceful dispersal achieved

Georgian Interior Minister Geka Geladze on Sunday announced that the attempted “peaceful overthrow” of the Government was unsuccessful, crediting police with a peaceful dispersal using proportional force, while thanking police officers for their efforts amid injuries from the violent rally.

In his remarks, Geladze reported that over 30 officers sustained injuries during the rally, with most discharged and only two remaining under care in stable condition, expecting recovery soon.

“Yesterday, over 30 police officers were injured during the violent rally, some of whom have been discharged with moderate injuries. Only two police officers remain in medical facilities, whose condition was quite serious yesterday. Today, we have relative stability, and we hope, based on doctors’ explanations, that there will be improvement soon”, Geladze said.

The Minister praised the police forces for upholding high standards and applying force proportionately, ensuring a successful and non-escalatory resolution to the unrest.

“I want to thank every police officer who participated in yesterday’s rally. A high standard was maintained, and proportional force was used. I also want the public to know that there will be the strictest response to any violation of the law”, he noted.

“The peaceful overthrow did not succeed, but I can confidently say that a peaceful dispersal was achieved”, Geladze concluded.