Police Use Force to Remove Families from Their Homes
On Tuesday, January 23, 2024, a violent clash erupted between the police and the protesters who tried to block the eviction of a family from their home in Tbilisi, Georgia. The family, the Khatiashvilis, had failed to pay their mortgage and were ordered to vacate their apartment by the National Bureau of Enforcement. However, the family claimed that they had already paid more than they borrowed to the private debtor, and refused to leave their home. They were supported by hundreds of activists and journalists who gathered outside their building on Kekelidze Street to prevent the police from entering.
The police faced resistance from the protesters who had welded the entrance door shut and barricaded the apartment with furniture. The police used a sledgehammer to break into the building and then forcibly removed the family and their supporters from the apartment. Several people were injured and arrested during the confrontation, including some journalists who accused the police of assaulting them and obstructing their work. One of the family members fainted and had to be hospitalized.
The eviction sparked outrage among the public and the opposition parties, who condemned the police brutality and the government’s indifference to the plight of the socially vulnerable families.
Evictions Postponed After Public Outcry
The Khatiashvilis were not the only family facing eviction in Tbilisi. On January 24, another eviction procedure was planned on Shalva Dadiani Street, and on January 26, on Zandukeli Street. However, after the public outcry over the Khatiashvilis’ case, the National Bureau of Enforcement announced that it was temporarily postponing the eviction of the Kakiashvili family on Dadiani Street, who were also in debt to a private moneylender. The bureau said that it was considering the fact that the family was socially vulnerable and that two minors lived in the house. They also said that they would continue to communicate with the parties to reach an agreement.
However, the protesters and the family were not satisfied with the postponement and demanded a permanent cancellation of the eviction. They also called for the resignation of the head of the National Bureau of Enforcement, Giorgi Vashadze, and the Minister of Justice, Tea Tsulukiani, who they held responsible for the evictions. They accused the government of serving the interests of the private creditors and violating the rights of the citizens.
The protesters vowed to continue their demonstrations until their demands were met and the evictions were stopped.
Tbilisi Mayor Defends the Police and the Law
The Tbilisi Mayor, Kakha Kaladze, defended the actions of the police and the law enforcement agencies, saying that they were performing their duties and enforcing the court decisions. He said that the physical violence and the damage of the public property by the protesters were unacceptable and that they would be punished according to the law. He also said that the government was working on a social program to help the families who were facing eviction due to their debts.
Kaladze also criticized the opposition parties for politicizing the issue and inciting the protests. He said that the opposition was trying to exploit the emotions of the people and create instability in the country. He urged the public to remain calm and respect the law.
The mayor said that the government was aware of the social problems and was doing its best to solve them.
