Six protesters detained in Batumi

At their rally in Batumi, activists of the "United National Movement" (UNM) Party sought a meeting with Irakli Kobakhidze, the leader of the "Georgian Dream" Party. Law enforcers detained six people for disobeying the police.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on November 18, 2021, Nugzar Putkaradze, a majoritarian deputy of the Batumi Sakrebulo, died of a heart attack. At a briefing after his death, oppositionists stated that they had attempted to bribe Putkaradze; and he was under pressure. His sister Nazi Putkaradze has stated that the pressure provoked his heart attack.

This morning, UNM supporters and members gathered at the Hilton Hotel in Batumi, where the constituent meeting of the women's organization of the ruling "Georgian Dream" Party was held. The protesters demanded a meeting with Irakli Kobakhidze, the party leader, in order to ask him about the death of Putkaradze. However, Mr Kobakhidze refused to go out to protesters. Then, protesters moved to the conference hall, where the party event was held, but policemen began driving them out of the hotel; multiple skirmishes occurred, the "News Georgia" has reported today.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), during the action, law enforcers detained six people for administrative offenses. They were taken to the police station, the "News Georgia" has informed. The detainees are accused of disobeying law enforcers' demands.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on February 19, 2022 at 02:53 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.