Student protests erupt in Tbilisi against parliamentary election results
Kyiv • UNN
Law enforcers do not allow students to enter Tbilisi State University, where an overnight strike against the election results was planned. Protesters remain in the courtyard, chanting anti-Russian slogans.
Dozens of police officers have been mobilized in the courtyard of the first building of the Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University. Interior Ministry officials are not allowing students protesting against the results of the parliamentary elections in Georgia to enter the building, UNN reports with reference to Novosti Georgia.
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Students were going to go on a night strike, but police cordons were set up at the main entrance to the university. One of the activists told journalists that force was used against them when they tried to push them back.
Other students note that all entrances are closed earlier than usual today. The first building can be left only through the tunnel leading to the neighboring second building. Police have been mobilized in other TSU buildings on Chavchavadze Avenue.
Master's students who have lectures in the evening say that they are also not allowed in the building.
The situation on the ground remains tense. Protesters say they will spend the night in the university yard. From time to time, they chant "Russians, Russians", "Let us in", "No to the Russian regime" at the security forces.
In solidarity with them, participants of the march organized by the Daitov platform came to the university. Tonight they gathered on Republic Square to protest the election results.
Students of Iliyauni University are also planning to go to TSU. They are currently gathering near their main building, about a kilometer from the epicenter of the events. Traffic on Chavchavadze Avenue is paralyzed.
Student protests began the day before at Batumi's Shota Rustaveli State University. The protesters claim that the election results were falsified and that the university administration is involved in the policies of the ruling Georgian Dream party.
In addition to TSU, solidarity with BSU students was expressed at Ilia State University, Tbilisi State Medical University, and the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA).
