The government-aligned TV channel Imedi published an information card featuring posts by director Data Tavadze, claiming he had announced the events of December 7 in advance. Although Imedi has already deleted the so-called card, an anonymous account shared it in the “Anti-Maidan!” group with the caption: “A script written two days ago.”
The claim that Data Tavadze announced the events of December 7 in advance is false. He posted about December 7 only after the special forces began dispersing citizens on Rustaveli Avenue.
On December 6, citizens once again gathered on Rustaveli Avenue and blocked the road. According to a statement by the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association, the special forces started dispersing the peaceful protesters at 12:33 a.m. on December 7. By 12:40 a.m., they had occupied the area in front of Parliament.
The first post regarding December 7 on director Data Tavadze’s Facebook account was published at 2:45 a.m., approximately two hours after the special forces dispersed the citizens.
The second post, which Imedi included on its information card, was published on December 7 at 10:53 p.m.
Data Tavdadze addressed Imedi’s accusation during an interview on Mtavari Arkhi. He called the allegation absurd and stated that he reacted to the events precisely when the dispersal of the rally began on Rustaveli Avenue.
On December 7, the Special Protection Department used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the demonstrators. Nine people were taken to the hospital.
According to the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association, throughout the night, the hotline of civil society organizations received information about 51 detainees. The organization reported that the Ministry of Internal Affairs continued to use violent methods throughout the night, including physical assaults, threats, and insults against peaceful protesters; violent, unlawful detentions; obstruction of journalistic activities; and the involvement of private groups against protesters. Additionally, there were instances of searches of people exiting the metro, ambushes targeting peaceful individuals leaving the rally, and other abuses. By 2:45 a.m., protesters had moved from Rustaveli Avenue to the riverside via Tarkhnishvili Street, where they were confronted by unidentified individuals armed with firearms.
The Public Defender also responded to the protest on Rustaveli Avenue, noting that at the time law enforcement began dispersing the rally, the demonstration was peaceful, and there was no legal basis to justify its dispersal or interference with the right to assembly.
About the Source:
On December 1, Facebook user Giorgi Churghulia announced the creation of the group “Anti-Maidan!” In one of his posts, he mentioned that the group is a means to establish a “great force” with the aim of protecting the country and the state. Read more in Myth Detector’s investigation: What Do We Know About the ‘Anti-Maidan’ Group and Its Administrators?
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