The Interior Ministry of Georgia said that four more persons have been arrested on charges of participating in group violence during the June 20-21 protests.
In a statement released late on July 15, the Interior Ministry noted that all of them resisted police officers and assaulted them using various items, trying to storm the Parliament building.
The Ministry explained that as of July 15, nine persons, including MP Nika Melia of the opposition National Movement party, have been charged for organizing, heading and participating in group violence.
The Interior Ministry also released a video footage, featuring the detainees assaulting police officers.
The Prosecutor’s Office has launched investigation into organizing and participating in group violence in connection with the June 20-21 developments.
On June 25, the Prosecutor’s Office charged MP Nika Melia under article 225 of the Criminal Code of Georgia. In late June the Tbilisi City Court imposed a GEL 30,000 bail on him and in early July the Court of Appeals upheld the ruling.
On July 4, the Interior Ministry arrested four persons for participating in group violence.
Later on the same day, the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia said that the collected material evidence as well as testimonies of “tens of witnesses” prove that a group of individuals plotted “a violent overthrow of the government followed by seizing of power” during the rally outside the Parliament building on June 20-21.
- MIA Arrests Four for Participation in June 20-21 “Group Violence”
- Prosecutor’s Office: June 20-21 an Attempt at ‘Violent overthrow of government’
The Prosecutor’s Office said on July 15 that an Interior Ministry officer has been arrested on charges of exceeding official powers during the dispersal of the anti-occupation rally outside the Parliament building.
The Interior Ministry announced earlier that ten law enforcers, who took part in the clash on Rustaveli Avenue, as well as the head of MIA’s Special Tasks Department were suspended from their official duties pending inquest.
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