In the capital city, clashes between police officers and protesters unfolded amid a day of tense demonstrations. Reports described a sequence of injuries and hospitalizations, drawing on information from Interfax and statements issued by the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs. The events centered on public spaces near government sites, where security forces sought to restore order as the crowd gathered in central corridors and main thoroughfares. A steady, visible police presence remained on duty to guide the flow of people, protect key sites, and deter potential escalations that could threaten public safety.
The situation escalated when Aleko Elisashvili, a member of parliament from the opposition, attempted to push through the police line on Rustaveli Boulevard. Eyewitness accounts indicate that dispersal methods were used to remove him from the area, framed as necessary steps to preserve safety and prevent further confrontation. The moment quickly drew sustained media attention, highlighting the delicate balance between the rights of peaceful assembly and the responsibilities of security personnel to maintain order during a charged political moment.
Health authorities reported that three officers from the Ministry of Internal Affairs sustained injuries amid the clashes, with details of the injuries not immediately disclosed. In a public health update, the Georgian Ministry of Health reassured residents that ample ambulances were available and medical teams were delivering care to anyone in need. The department underscored its commitment to swift, professional medical support for participants affected by the protests and for bystanders who may have required assistance.
Former President Salome Zurabishvili entered the public dialogue by urging a pause to dispersal operations and a de-escalation of tactics. She warned against the use of disproportionate force or violence against peaceful demonstrators and directed her remarks to the Minister of Internal Affairs, Vakhtang Gomelauri, calling for a pause in dispersal efforts and for a measured approach that respects civil liberties while addressing public safety concerns in a highly charged environment. Observers noted that the message reflected broader worries about safeguarding fundamental rights while addressing security challenges in the capital.
Reports from the ground indicated the use of rubber projectiles by security forces as a crowd-control measure in the rally, a practice that has drawn scrutiny in many contexts for its potential to cause harm. In addition to non-lethal munitions, authorities deployed pressurized water to gradually move demonstrators away from Rustaveli Street in front of the parliament building. The goal appeared to be reducing the chance of more intense clashes while allowing essential traffic and parliamentary activities to continue. The choice of tools underscored an ongoing debate about how best to manage large gatherings in ways that minimize risk to participants and bystanders alike.
Early statements from local officials suggested that the events in Tbilisi could influence political calculations across the country, including discussions about the timing and conditions for potential alignment with European standards. Reports cited ambitions to meet European Union criteria, while observers weighed how street-level developments might shape national conversations about reforms and geopolitical direction. While many factors would shape outcomes, the protests on Rustaveli Avenue marked a moment of heightened political and social engagement in the capital, with implications for future policy and public sentiment across the nation.