Georgian opposition activists detained at protest in Tbilisi
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 11 October 2017 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Georgian opposition activists detained at protest in Tbilisi, 11 October 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a9fc5ffa.html [accessed 12 October 2022] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
October 11, 2017 08:43 GMT
RFE/RL's Georgian Service
Opposition supporters clash with police in front of the Tbilisi city council during a protest rally in Tbilisi on October 10.
TBILISI – Police have scuffled with Georgian opposition activists who were protesting against the Tbilisi city council's move to give a plot of land to a construction company linked to billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of the Georgian Dream party.
Eight activists were detained during the unrest late on October 10 near the Tbilisi city-council building.
Hundreds of opposition activists rallied near the building, demanding they be allowed to attend a council session addressing the issue that day.
Opposition parties have the right to participate in council sessions and cast "advisory votes."
But opposition representatives were barred from the session during which the council decided to let a company linked to Ivanishvili own the lot on Liberty Square in downtown Tbilisi, where a new hotel and parking area are planned.
Ivanishvili founded Georgian Dream, which ousted Mikheil Saakashvili's party and came to power in 2012 parliamentary elections.
Ivanishvili announced he was withdrawing from politics after served as prime minister from October 2012 to November 2013, but many in the South Caucasus state believe he continues to control Georgian Dream from behind the scenes.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
