Seventeen activists injured during police assault on building of "UNM" Party

The police used harsh methods while arresting Nika Meliya, activists report. Seventeen people sought medical help, and two of them were hospitalized.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that today, in Tbilisi, the police have carried out a special operation and detained Nika Meliya, the leader of the opposition "United National Movement" (UNM) Party.

Twenty-one activists were detained during the police special operation, and all of them were released later, the "Georgia Online" reports. The activists, who stayed in the building of the "United National Movement" Party, described the details of the police special operation to detain Nika Meliya.

Clashes with the police began on the ground floor, Beso Shengeliya says. "People tried to prevent policemen from going to the first floor. The police used tear gas and physical force. They hit me on the head with a police ram," the activist said.

Activist Vitaly is angered by the police using force. "They were beating us as if we were terrorists. Many people were bloodied, and they were taken to the hospital," he said.

"There was a fight. My eyes hurt after the police used tear gas," activist Zurab said.

The authorities are leading Georgia to dictatorship, says Nino Burdjanadze, the leader of the opposition "Democratic Movement-United Georgia" Party. The politician has also added that the opposition is seeking new parliamentary elections and the release of Nika Meliya, the "Interfax" reports.