Prepared by Messenger Staff
Interior Ministry Says 60 Protesters Detained Over Past Three Days
The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) announced that 60 participants in recent demonstrations have been detained over the past three days for violating rules governing public assemblies and demonstrations. The arrests were made under the Code of Administrative Offenses, the ministry said in a statement.
According to the MIA, law enforcement officers repeatedly urged demonstrators to avoid unlawful actions and warned that their gathering did not meet the legal criteria allowing them to block public roads. "Despite the fact that patrol police representatives repeatedly called on the participants of the demonstration not to commit illegal acts, as their number did not give them the legal right to block the road, the demonstrators did not obey the call of the law enforcement officers, again blocked the roadway and hindered the traffic," the ministry said.
The statement added that a total of 60 individuals, identified by their initials, were taken into custody during the rallies. The ministry reiterated its warning to protesters, saying, "We once again call on the participants of the demonstration to refrain from committing illegal actions, otherwise legal measures will be taken against them."
Three Chinese Nationals Arrested in Georgia for Alleged Attempt to Buy Uranium
The State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG) has detained three Chinese citizens in Tbilisi on charges of attempting to illegally purchase two kilograms of uranium, officials announced on October 25.
"The members of the criminal group planned to purchase the radioactive substance for 400,000 US dollars and then transport it to China through the territory of the Russian Federation," said Lasha Maghradze, the SSSG's first deputy chief, during a press briefing.
Maghradze stated that one of the suspects, who had been living in Georgia without legal status, brought "experts interested in purchasing uranium" into the country and began actively searching for the substance across Georgia. He added that other members of the group coordinated their actions from China.
Authorities arrested the suspects while they were negotiating the illegal deal. Searches were conducted at their residences in both Tbilisi and Batumi.
The investigation is being carried out under Article 230 of Georgia's Criminal Code, which pertains to the illegal purchase or possession of radioactive materials. If convicted, the suspects could face up to ten years in prison.
