Participants of unauthorized protest action detained in Georgia

Near the building of the Parliament of Georgia, the police detained seven participants of an unsanctioned oppositional action in memory of the killed employee of the "United Bank of Georgia" Sandro Girgvliani. The protesters tried to block traffic in Rustaveli Avenue.

The today's action, which was several dozen persons strong, was organized by a number of youth organizations.

The participants of the action, with rope loops over their necks, demonstratively sat down on the roadway of Rustaveli Avenue at the parliament, thus making problems for traffic. Despite the warning of the police, the protesters twice attempted to block traffic in the avenue. After that, seven protesters were detained by policemen and taken to the Tbilisi Court, the "News-Georgia" reports.

"All the detainees were charged with disobedience to police and violation of public order," said Nana Kakabadze, a human rights activist.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) has confirmed the detention of seven persons during the unsanctioned rally. All of them were accused under the articles of "disorderly conduct, violation of public order" and "disobedience to the police" of the Code of Administrative Offences, the "Georgia Online" reports.