2017-03-12
First and foremost, I urge everyone to maintain peace. I have dispatched the Interior Minister to Batumi. Upon the request of Zurab Pataridze, in order to prevent any further escalation of tensions, every person under administrative detention has been released until this issue is thoroughly investigated.
This incident shows that a harmless, everyday occurrence has been used by destructive political forces to escalate the situation. Unfortunately, these forces are willing to undermine the very foundation of stability in the country-they intentionally provoke acts of vandalism, abuse representatives of state authorities who have been instructed by us to maintain minimum-level response in order to avert possible complications.
Notably, society at large clearly denounces such destructive acts. Therefore, the state will make sure that order is maintained and our citizens' rights to live in peaceful environment are protected.
Finally, I would like to address those specifically who are willing to trample down our statehood and the rights of our citizens. The state's response will be most severe. I urge everyone to obey the law and respect the state institutions!
Giorgi Kvirikashvili
Prime Minister of Georgia