Georgia’s Kvirikashvili Assesses Batumi Unrest as ‘’Provocation”

TBILISI – The Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili believes that the March 11-12 unrest in the city Batumi was “a very serious provocation” and even seemed “planned.” The PM made the statement during a governmental meeting on March 14.

“An investigation is underway and no one should get away with this serious provocation, which seemed to have been[… ]Anybody, who made steps against the state, will be punished by all means,” Kvirikashvili stressed.

Moreover, the PM thanked representatives of the state and everyone else, who helped to defuse the tense situation.

The confrontation between Batumi locals and law enforcercement started on March 11, when a man and his companion refused to accept a fine for parking in the wrong location.

When the police arrested six people for resistance, this led to a larger protest of hundreds of locals, who gathered at the police department and demanded the release of the detained and the resignation of the police head.

Once the situation escalated, and the young rioters began throwing stones, damaging cars, and setting fire to nearby vehicles the police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets.

A total of 33 people required medical attention. 15 of them were members of law enforcement. The investigation into the case is underway.

The Interior Ministry reported that over 40 people were arrested during the clashes, however, all of them, except 7 people, were released until this issue is thoroughly investigated in order to avoid further tension.

On March 13 the court hearing of several offenders was held, and they were each ordered to pay a 250-Gel fine for police resistance and hooliganism.

By Thea Morrison