Human Rights Group Concerned over Violent Break up of Rally

The human rights advocacy NGO Liberty Institute and youth movement Kmara (Enough) expressed their disproval, on July 2, of the violent break up of a protest rally in Tbilisi by riot police, which resulted in the beating of several protesters.

On July 1,Tbilisi riot police dispersed a group of protesters in front of the Tbilisi Municipality who were demanding compensation promised by authorities for apartments damage that occured during the 2002 earthquake in Tbilisi. The protest rally was held in conjuntion with another group, which was making similar demands.

?Those responsible for beating up peaceful protesters, including those who ordered to break up the rally, should be immediately punished,? Sozar Subeliani of the Liberty Institute said at a news briefing on July 2.

?The very same people [police officials] were beating up and dispersing our [Kmara movement?s] protest rallies during [ex-President] Shevardnadze?s regime. They are not punished for this. The same people are now continuing illegal actions and breaking up protest rallies,? Tea Tutberidze of the Kmara movement said on July 2.

The Liberty Institute and Kmara demanded the resignation of the long-time chief of Tbilisi’s riot police Temur Mgebrishvili, who is notorious for violent attacks on peaceful protesters.

However, the Georgian Interior Ministry downplayed the concerns of the human rights groups. Tbilisi Police Chief Irakli Kldiashvili said on July 2,that the riot police were ?acting in frames of the law? while dispersing the rally.