Police detain opponents of developing mini-park in Tbilisi suburb

The development plans of the Mini-Park "Ann's Garden" in the suburb of Tbilisi named Varketili have outraged local residents. They prevented the construction company from starting its works in the mini-park. The action ended in clashes with the police.

More than a year ago, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze promised local residents to recall the permit on building a residential block in place of the mini-park, but he failed with his promise, said Levan Khabaishvili, a member of the Tbilisi Sakrebulo (city assembly) from the United National Movement (UNM), on the air of the "Mtavari Arkhi" TV Channel.

On January 10, local residents began lying down on the ground to prevent the entry of building machinery. Law enforcers began helping the builders and forced the protesters to clear the way. During clashes of suburb residents, builders of the construction company and policemen, 10 protesters were detained and accused of petty hooliganism and disobedience to policemen's legitimate demands, the "InterPressNews" reports.

Residents of the Varketili township have been protesting against the construction for several months already, finding it unacceptable to build the residential block that will destroy the greenery. Due to their protests, the construction was suspended, although the Mayoralty of the Georgian capital had stated that protests were politically motivated, the "Mtavari Arkhi" TV Channel has reported.

The construction in the mini-park will continue, the "Rustavi-2" TV Company reports referring the spokesman of the "European Construction Holding" Company.