Police had been blocking entrances to the parliament with metal structures since morning. Patrol Police Chief Vazha Siradze said the metal barricades have been installed due to security reasons. Siradze explained the road would be closed until the rally continued and there was a threat of picketing the parliament.

“For security reasons, we decided to have iron structures to prevent violent acts from the protesters against the police. We act adequately and appropriately in order to ensure the public safety. Since there have been many facts when these people blocked the entrances of the Parliament said they were going to do it again, the police have taken appropriate measures, ” Siradze said.

By midday protesters ended their efforts to picket the building.

“We have ended picketing the parliament today, we will gather tomorrow if the Parliament works,” Shota Dighmelashvili, one of the leaders of the “Shame” movement told reporters on Thursday.

He said a mass protest is planned for the session week of the Parliament.

“When the parliamentary sessions are scheduled we will continue picketing more effectively, we will also organize the “corridor of shame”,” Shota Dighmelashvili said.

“You see, the system is shaking, the system is destroying brick by brick, ” Digmelashvili added.

In sign of protests, members of the opposition European Georgia party have decided to quit their positions and committees in parliament.




MP Sergi Kapanadze quit the position of the Deputy Speaker as well as the committees on Education, Science and Culture and European Integration. MP Elene Khoshtaria has left the Human Rights and Civil Integration Committee. MPs Lasha Damenia and Lela Keburia are leaving the Committee on Regional Policy and Self-Government. Irakli Abesadze and Otar Kakhidze will no longer be members of the Legal Affairs Committee. Otar Kakhidze quit the Finance and Budget Committee.

Minister of Defense Irakli Gharibashvili denounced protests and its organizers.

“In addition to the occupation, economic hardship and unemployment challenges, the another serious challenge facing our country, which gets in the way of long-term, stable development and peace, is coming from a radical, extremist opposition force, in particular from the "National Movement", - Defense Minister Irakli Gharibashvili said after the cabinet meeting on Thursday.

As Gharibashvili pointed out, any destructive action is inadmissible and unacceptable.

“We are closely following the developments in our country. I would like to respond to yesterday's interview of the party chairman. Mr. Bidzina [Ivanishvili] has responded with the usual sincerity to all the questions the society is worrying about, and to all the absurd accusations and slander that come from the most radical, destructive and extremist opposition force. I would like to declare that in addition to the occupation, economic hardship and unemployment challenges, the another serious challenge facing our country, which gets in the way of long-term, stable development and peace, is coming from a radical, extremist opposition force, in particular from the "National Movement”, which is absolutely inadmissible. Any of their destructive actions are inadmissible and unacceptable. Today our state is strong, stronger than they can imagine. The state is at capable of dealing with any challenge posed by this radical force” - Gharibashvili said.

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