At least 21 police and protesters were injured in the Georgian Black Sea port of Batumi after a disagreement over a parking fine turned violent. Local media reported on March 12 that police moved in with tear gas and rubber bullets to battle hundreds of stone-throwing rioters, mostly young people.
The violence broke out after a man refused to accept a fine for parking in the wrong location, RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty reports citing the Georgia-based Democracy & Freedom Watch.
The man argued with police and was detained, the report said. The website showed video of hundreds of protesters throwing stones in the darkness of the Batumi streets.
Zaal Mikeladze, the regional medical minister, told reporters that 11 police officers and 10 demonstrators were hospitalized with injuries and from the effects of tear gas. Several people were arrested, but Georgian Interior Minister Giorgi Mgebrishvili said he ordered those arrested to be released in an effort to calm tensions.
