A fence is the easiest thing to break down when physical force is used. There were many representatives of the extremist group “Akatsuka” present, and they used physical force to break down the fence – we had made a general tactical decision not to intervene until they resorted to violence, stated Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze during a briefing.
He explained that the authorities had prepared for all possible scenarios related to state buildings, including having initial information about an attack planned on the Tbilisi City Assembly building, which, according to Kobakhidze, the organizers later replaced with the Presidential Palace.
“Yesterday, your television [‘Pirveli’] claimed all evening, with complete seriousness, that the fence collapsed on its own and Burchuladze just happened to be there…
A fence is the easiest thing to break down when physical force is used. You know that there were many representatives of the extremist group ‘Akatsuka’ present, and they used physical force to break down the fence. That’s the simplest thing you can do. Then they tried to break into the building, but they were met with a surprise. They thought the Atoneli Palace was empty, but they were met with a surprise when special forces came out and gave an appropriate response. As soon as the extremists broke down the fence, special forces immediately emerged from the building. We had prepared for all scenarios related to all relevant buildings, including the Parliament, the Government Administration, and the Tbilisi City Assembly. Initially, the Tbilisi City Assembly was considered their main target for attack, but they later changed the scenario. We received timely information about this and took appropriate measures. Therefore, when they moved to attempt an overthrow and tried to break into the Presidential residence, they were met with a surprise. We had made a general tactical decision not to intervene until they resorted to violence, and this was a simple tactical decision. As long as the rally was peaceful, we allowed these people to reach the area near the Presidential Palace, but as soon as they resorted to violence and broke down the protective fence, special forces appeared immediately. Everything was very precisely planned,” Kobakhidze stated.
Irakli Kobakhidze: A fence is the easiest thing to break down when physical force is used – we had made a tactical decision not to intervene until they resorted to violence
