TBILISI, March 13 (Xinhua) -- The situation in Georgia's Black Sea city of Batumi has calmed down after the weekend clashes between protesters and law enforcement authorities, leaving more than dozens injured and several in custody, the Georgia Today News Agency report on Monday.
"Investigation is going on and all offenders involved in the riot will be punished," Georgia's Minister of Internal Affairs Giorgi Mghebrishvili told media on Monday.
"We were forced to do what we did since the protesters did not stop assaulting police officers," Mgebrishvili said, stressing that those involved in the violence will be strictly punished.
According to him, the situation in Batumi has been under control while investigation is going on. So far, seven persons have been detained under the administrative rule, he said.
According to the reports of Georgia Today, the unrest began when a man refused to accept a fine for parking in the wrong location Saturday night in Batumi.
The man and his companion were detained for disobeying police. A protest ensued, involving hundreds of locals who gathered at the police department and demanded the release of the detained and the resignation of the police chief.
According to reports, police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets to the stone-throwing rioters, mostly young people, who damaged police cars, ruined infrastructure and set fire to nearby vehicles.
The unrest continued until Sunday, when more police officers intervened and dispersed the protesters. It was reported that around 30 people have been injured in the clashes.
In a statement released on Sunday, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili accused "the destructive political forces" of provoking "vandal acts," saying the police officers responded by using "minimal" force to avoid possible "complications."
