2 Dec 2019 17:38

Georgian police detain several protestors after fighting in Mtskheta - media

TBILISI. Dec 2 (Interfax) - The police detained several opposition supporters during a protest in front of the building of the mayor's office in the town of Mtskheta on Monday, Georgian media said.

About 30 opposition activists had attempted to create "a corridor of shame" for the local parliamentarian representing the majority, Dmitry Khundadze, but were attacked by young people, who caused them to disperse by using force.

Policemen interfered to break up the fighting and detained several protestors.

According to opposition activists, the ruling party Georgian Dream decided to use "strong young men" to disperse the opposition's protest.

"The ruling party chose the path of civil confrontation and it will very soon end in the complete collapse of the incumbent authorities," one of the Mtskheta protestors told journalists.

At the same time, opposition activists in Tbilisi created "a corridor of shame" for former parliamentary speaker and one of the Georgian Dream leaders, Irakli Kobakhidze, near a hotel, Georgian media said.

The opposition leaders told journalists on Sunday that they would continue protests, including in regions, until their demands that the government resign and snap parliamentary elections be held under the proportional electoral system are fulfilled.

Protests have been under way in Tbilisi since November 14, when the Georgian parliament rejected legislation under which the country's 2020 parliamentary elections were to be held fully based on a proportional system.