Locals and Soldiers Clash in Akhaltsikhe

November 25 midday - soldiers of the military unit of the Georgian Frontier Army and local youth clashed.

Locals state that similar controversial incidents are not uncommon. Although witnesses of the incident avoided saying their names, they did describe what they saw.

“I was standing in front of the regional administration; I heard loud shouting from the direction of the police station; somebody was shouting: Detain him! Push him down!” Then nearly 30 boys rushed away in front of me. Soldiers were following them, waving wooden and iron sticks in their hands. By-standers standing in the street became frightened. Then I understood by the voice of the signals of the police and patrol cars that something serious was going on,” said one of the witnesses.

According to the witnesses, the quarrel started in front of the Officers’ House where even police officers, who arrived there to assess the situation and “cool things down”, were beaten. Windows of a number of cars parked nearby were also smashed. The street was blocked because a large group of people gathered there and consequently, the situation turned to the worse. Representatives of the law enforcement bodies and soldiers were trying to settle up in front in clear sight of the people.”

Officials have not commented on the incident. However, we learned that some soldiers were also arrested. According to the released information, recently, the soldiers have been beaten quite frequently though law enforcement bodies have not yet reacted.

Gulo Kokhodze, Akhaltsikhe