The police completely surrounded the square near the parliament, but the protesters spread out along the nearby streets and are now trying to break through the living wall.
On Wednesday, March 8, at about 22:00 Kyiv time in Tbilisi, the security forces surrounded the protesters at the rally. This was reported by a Focus correspondent from the scene.
In the video, which is at the disposal of the editors, you can see, you can see a crowd of young people. Some of them are wearing respirators.
Behind the protesters one can see the light from the flashing beacons of official cars and hear the sounds of sirens.
Also on the video frames, you can see that a light gray fog rises up, similar at the same time to the smoke of a fire and a cloud after the use of tear gas.
According to our correspondent, water cannons have already been used against the protesters. Two protesters were injured.
At the same time, representatives of the opposition emphasized the fact that the protests that engulfed Tbilisi were peaceful. Although the Georgians themselves expressed their readiness to protest on the streets of Tbilisi even when the police use force or special equipment against them.
Protests in Georgia: what is happening in Tbilisi now
According to the Focus correspondent, who is now at the scene, the security forces completely surrounded the square near the parliament. However, some protesters managed to disperse along the nearby streets and are now trying to push the police back.
The protesters also talk among themselves that they burned and overturned a police car.
Video of the Focus correspondent from the scene
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Rally in Tbilisi: the position of the police
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia officially stated that the security forces near the parliament building ensure public order and conduct the rally in a peaceful environment.
They warned the protesters that during the demonstration any violation would be immediately suppressed by the police in accordance with the law.
Also, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the country reported that 76 protesters had already been detained. Most of these people refused to obey the demands of the security forces.
Recall that on Wednesday, March 8, 15,000 people took to the streets in Tbilisi. The protesters declared their readiness not to go home even if the security forces used special means against them. The action brought together students, athletes, guides and other residents of the Georgian capital.
Focus also wrote that protesters in Georgia turned on the anthem of Ukraine under the parliament. According to Georgian political scientist Gela Vasadze, people came to today’s rally ready to be dispersed.