Students from Africa complain of aggression from Georgian residents

A conflict between students from Africa and residents of Tbilisi has provoked a great resonance. To reconcile the parties to the conflict, the Tbilisi Mayoralty arranged a friendly football match.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that several men with sticks attacked a group of people from Africa who were playing football in the street.

Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze said that the football match held on April 14 should demonstrate the tolerant attitude towards foreigners in Georgia.

"The earlier conflict was provoked by the fact that the people from African were playing football for too long and children complained to adults that they were not allowed to go to a sports ground. And since the holiday of Easter was celebrated recently, many men were still in a state of slight alcoholic intoxication," said Maro, a local resident.

According to the woman, there were no prerequisites for the conflict.

The students from Africa have confirmed that they had no conflicts with local residents earlier, but they faced aggression and heard insults in their address.

A medical student from Nigeria has expressed his hope that the organized football match will improve the attitude of local residents towards foreign students.

Ucha Nanuashvili, former Ombudsman of Georgia, believes that the police should find out whether the attack had been provoked by racial motives.