During a briefing on May 1, Georgian Deputy Interior Minister Aleksandre Darakhvelidze discussed the events of the previous day, April 30, when 63 demonstrators were detained during a rally against the Foreign Agents Law.

Position of the Georgian Government

The detainees were charged under Articles 166 and 173 of the Code of Administrative Violations for petty hooliganism and disobeying police orders, respectively. Darakhvelidze reported that six police officers were injured in the clashes and mentioned that a criminal investigation would be launched under Article 3531 of the Criminal Code for assaulting a police officer.
He recounted that the rally was initially peaceful, allowing organizers and participants to express their dissent throughout the day. However, tensions escalated at around 9 p.m. [local time] following the conclusion of a plenary session, when protesters blocked the entrances to the legislative building on Chitadze and Chichinadze Streets. Darakhvelidze stressed that the law on assemblies prohibits such blockades, which disrupt administrative functions. Despite several warnings from the police to vacate the building's exits, the demonstrators refused to comply, prompting the police to set up a cordon to ensure the safe passage of MPs and staff.

The Deputy Interior Minister further noted that although the demonstrators were urged to continue their protest within legal limits, they instead resorted to violence, attacking police officers and throwing objects such as stones and bottles. This aggression resulted in injuries to six officers, who were subsequently hospitalized.

In order to de-escalate the increasing violence, Darakhvelidze explained that at approximately 22:15, the police resorted to the use of special measures such as pepper spray, tear gas and water cannons, as permitted by the Law of Georgia "On Police". Despite these efforts, the situation escalated again around 23:40, requiring further action by law enforcement, including the use of a water cannon to control the crowd and uphold the law.

The disturbances continued into the night, with protesters erecting barricades along Rustaveli Avenue and damaging the infrastructure of Tbilisi City Hall. The deputy minister highlighted an incident involving United National Movement leader Levan Khabeishvili, who allegedly broke through a police line and was injured. Khabeishvili was immediately taken to a medical facility and further investigation is pending (Khabeishvili says he was beaten by police officers - ed.).

As the night wore on, the demonstrators moved to new locations, blocking roads and confronting drivers. By 4:30 a.m., police had cleared Rustaveli Avenue and the surrounding area. Darakhvelidze reiterated that any form of violence against police or obstruction of public roads is illegal and will be met with appropriate legal action.

EU Reacts 

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell "strongly condemned the violence against demonstrators in Georgia who were peacefully protesting against the law on foreign influence. Georgia is an EU candidate country and I call on its authorities to ensure the right to peaceful assembly," he said. "The use of force to suppress it is unacceptable," Borrell added. 

Salome Zourabichvili Criticizes Foreign Agents Law as Attack on Civil Society in Georgia

In an interview with France 24 on May 1, Salome Zourabichvili, President of Georgia, shared her insights on several pressing issues.

President Zourabichvili expressed that the controversial Foreign Agents Law, which mirrors legislation previously enacted in Russia, seems to have gone beyond legislative debate and become a tool to suppress civil society and non-governmental organizations. She described its reintroduction as a deliberate provocation aimed at silencing dissenting voices within Georgia, noting that the law was overwhelmingly rejected by the public and civil society organizations last year.

She addressed recent alarming statements by the Georgian Dream Party, in particular by its honorary president Bidzina Ivanishvili, describing them as a "declaration of war" against Georgia's Western partners, including the United States and the European Union. She noted that the rhetoric used by Georgian Dream officials, labeling various societal groups as agents of foreign influence, mirrored the language typically used by Russian President Vladimir Putin against his opponents.

When asked about the possible consequences of passing the Foreign Agents Law, President Zourabichvili downplayed the likelihood of instability, pointing to the rational and peaceful behavior of the youth protesting to secure their European future. She was optimistic about the restraint and peacefulness of the protests, despite provocations by law enforcement.

Looking to the future, President Zourabichvili expressed hope that the upcoming elections would mark the end of not only the Foreign Agents Law, but also other controversial legislation recently passed. She underscored the commitment of Georgia's institutions and citizens to the European values enshrined in the country's constitution.

Regarding Russia's potential to exploit the situation in Georgia, President Zourabichvili noted that Russia has become increasingly alarmed by Georgia's palpable shift toward Europe, pointing to similar movements in neighboring countries such as Armenia and Azerbaijan. She suggested that Russia may be attempting to use the Georgian Dream Party and its leadership to counter Georgia's European trajectory, a move she found unacceptable given the historical context of Russian imperialism in Georgia.
She also criticized Georgian Dream for not actively pursuing EU integration and for failing to implement the European Commission's recommendations. Despite the global focus on multiple crises, she called on the EU to offer clear support and recognition of the Georgian public's desire for integration, stressing the need for more proactive measures by the current government forces to fulfill these aspirations.