Georgian Interior Ministry detains three individuals over incidents on Melikishvili Avenue

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia on Wednesday said three individuals have been detained in connection with the incidents that took place this week on Melikishvili Avenue in the capital city of Tbilisi.

The Ministry said two individuals — Z.M. (born 1965) and I.B. (born 2003) — were arrested on charges of group violence, while I.D. (born 2002) was detained on charges of property damage or destruction.

“Evidence obtained during the investigation established that Z.M. and I.B. physically assaulted participants of a protest march on Melikishvili Avenue on September 8. Meanwhile, I.D. damaged an election banner of the ruling Georgian Dream’s mayoral candidate in Tbilisi,” the Interior Ministry said in a statement.

The body called on all persons connected to the incidents to cooperate with the investigation and respond to official summons.

The Ministry also stressed it continues intensive investigative measures to identify other participants involved in the criminal acts and ensure they are held accountable, noting that each violation will be met with a legal response.