Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has clarified the situation surrounding a statement by Nika Gvaramia, one of the leaders of the Opposition Alliance, regarding a protest rally planned for May 26.
The ministry stated that the notification submitted by the organizers did not comply with legal requirements:
- it did not specify the purpose of the rally;
- its scheduled end time;
- the estimated number of participants;
- how medical assistance would be organized.
The ministry also noted that the application was submitted in violation of the established deadlines.
Consequently, the ministry stated, the police cannot carry out the actions prescribed by the Law on Assemblies and Demonstrations.
Notably, Nika Gvaramia, one of the leaders of the Opposition Alliance and the Ahali party, stated that the refusal to allow certain elements of the rally first came from the Tbilisi City Hall, and subsequently from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. He criticized the decision, claiming that the authorities are effectively restricting the right to protest, and emphasized that the demonstration would go ahead anyway.
The Tbilisi City Hall denied the Opposition Alliance permission to install structures for the protest rally planned for May 26. In its response, the capital’s administration stated that May 26 is Georgia’s Independence Day, with official events scheduled. Consequently, traffic routes have been altered, and the city hall deems the installation of structures, including a stage, near the parliament building to be “unacceptable.”
Opposition Alliance promises to hold May 26 rally despite Tbilisi City Hall restrictions