Georgian Regions Covered by the Protests Against Police Violence

On May 12, the activist groups have arranged the protests against the police violence under the banners of the movement “Kmara” (Enough). The activists of the movement holding the banners protesting torture and ill-treatment of prisoners rallied in front of the police departments in Tbilisi, Akhaltsikhe, Gori, Telavi, Khashuri, Poti, and Rustavi.

“We would like to remind the citizens that it is enough of living in this situation”-Tina Khidasheli of Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association said at the rally in Tbilisi. She said Tbilisi police department was partaking in beating of the defense lawyers and detainees.

While the protest rally in Tbilisi went on peacefully, in a town of Gori police has checked the attempts of the protesters to a peaceful demonstration. “The youth has the right to express their dissatisfaction elsewhere, but the meeting [at this particular location] was not sanctioned”- Revaz Kotiashvili, head of Gori internal affairs’ department said. Police department representatives said this protest meeting was ordered and financed by “some forces”.

The protesters in Kutaisi declared they have confidential information the government will use the police forces for rigging the coming parliamentary elections.

On the same day the president of Georgia commented on the protests. Shevardnadze said he is not going to react to the Kmara graffiti. “This [graffiti] talks about the culture and politeness of the people writing these words, rather than about the situation in the country,” the president added.

“Kmara” (enough) as protest movement appeared on April 14, with the mass student action in front of the state chancellery. (Students say “Enough“) Organizers plan to continue the protests.