Post-election Protests: Protesters Claim up to 20 People Fined for Violating Curfew

Despite the restrictions imposed on movement, part of the protesters remained on Rustaveli Avenue in front of the parliament building until 5:00 AM. Activists sang the Georgian national anthem at 5:00.  

Protesters claim that up to 20 people were fined for violating the restrictions on movement from 22:00 to 05:00, including opposition leaders Khatia Dekanoidze, Elene Khoshtaria and Roman Gociridze. 

Those fined are not going to pay the fine. One of the protesters, who was fined GEL 2000 by the patrol police for violating the regulations, demonstratively tore the penalty receipt on the stage set up in front of the Parliament building. 

Further, 3 activists of the Shame Movement were detained at the rally last night, as they wanted to bring firewood near the parliament in order to warm themselves while staying on the spot overnight, but the law enforcers prevented them from moving.

Patrol Police Chief Vazha Siradze arrived at the scene and explained that firewood is a flammable material and that there was an experience when protesters threw firewood at law enforcers.

"Bringing firewood to a rally in front of the parliament building may have endangered the safety of citizens," he said. 

Despite the newly imposed restriction on movement from 22:00 to 5:00 due to coronavirus, the Shame movement declared disobedience and spent the night on Rustaveli Avenue, while the curfew was launched in 7 big cities of Georgia: Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi, Rustavi, Zugdidi, Gori and Poti. 

A natural person shall be fined GEL 2,000 and a legal entity shall be fined GEL 10,000 for violation of the above restriction. 

The protests of the opposition and their supporters started on Rustaveli Avenue on November 9, at 18:00. The protesters demand the re-appointment of the elections and the resignation of the CEC chairperson Tamar Zhvania. After the end of the main part of the rally, part of the citizens declared disobedience to the imposed restrictions and stayed near the Parliament building.

The united opposition will hold next rally on Rustaveli Avenue on Saturday, November 14, at 15:00, Nika Melia, one of the leaders of the National Movement announced at the protest rally.

By Ana Dumbadze 

Image: 1TV

Related Story: Several Activists of Shame Movement Detained at the Rally outside Parliament