Georgian Interior Ministry: any gatherings in coming days continuation of yesterday’s attempt

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia on Sunday warned that any gatherings following yesterday's violent coup attempt were considered continuations of the unlawful effort to overthrow the Government, promising proportional measures to maintain public order and safety.

The Ministry noted that yesterday’s protest, intended to destabilise the Government, became illegal, prompting a lawful and measured response from authorities.

“As is known to the public, a gathering took place yesterday with the declared goal of overthrowing the Government. The gathering quickly took on an unlawful character, after which the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia took proportional measures in accordance with the highest legal standards to ensure compliance with the law. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia will take appropriate measures today and in the coming days to identify lawbreakers and enforce the law against them”, the statement said.

The Ministry further warned that any further assemblies were likely linked to the same subversive goals and would face decisive action to protect public order, urging citizens to avoid actions that could lead to legal consequences.

“Furthermore, based on the events that unfolded yesterday, we have reason to believe that any gatherings held today and in the coming days are a continuation of yesterday’s attempt, and we will take appropriate measures to ensure that public order and safety are not threatened. We call on everyone to take this circumstance into account and refrain from any actions that could serve as a basis for legal measures against them,” the statement concluded.

Radical opposition supporters on Saturday stormed the courtyard of the Georgian presidential palace.

The protesters damaged the barriers and managed to enter the courtyard, but the riot police managed to remove the demonstrators from the scene.