Adjarian Officials Denounce “Unsanctioned Rallies”

Interior Minister of Adjara Autonomous Republic Jemal Gogitidze said that the local authorities would not tolerate protest rallies in Adjara during the state of emergency, which was enforced in the region on April 24.

Security forces broke up some 300 protesters in Adjarian Autonomy’s capital Batumi on April 30. Dozens of protesters were reportedly injured.

“State of emergency is imposed in Adjara, hence the force was used to disband unsanctioned protest rally. Moreover, protesters intended to break into to the [Adjarian Autonomy’s] Supreme Court’s building,” Jemal Gogitidze told Adjara TV late on April 30.

Protesters in Batumi demanded from the Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze to release political prisoners.