Georgian police detain over 30 people during protest near Tbilisi

The officers of the Georgian Interior Ministry detained 31 people in an administrative capacity during a protest near the entrance to Tbilisi on February 2.

All of the detainees are accused of petty hooliganism and disobeying police orders, Caliber.Az reports, citing Georgian media.

Some, including leader of Akhali opposition party Nika Melia, have already been released on bail. Their trial will take place at a later date. 

On February 2, opposition party members, their supporters, and civil activists organised a rally near the Tbilisi Mall, attempting to block the highway near the northern exit of the city. Law enforcement officers prevented the roadblock, which led to clashes between demonstrators and policemen. Some protesters were injured in the scuffle. Following the confrontation, the protesters marched towards the parliament building in central Tbilisi.

By Naila Huseynova