The meeting in Dmanisi between the opposing sides ended with an agreement on ending the conflict. In the building of Dmanisi City Hall, the parties shook their hands as a symbol of reconciliation.
After the meeting, Etibar Emirov, the Mufti in Eastern Georgia, said that the conflict shouldn’t be stoked or continued.
Vakhtang Gomelauri (Minister of Internal Affairs) also stated that Dmanisi is now free of conflict and the parties are reconciled.
“The incident has ended. Both parties have met and reconciled.” He said, “I hope the conflict won’t continue.” He added that police forces would stay in Dmanisi over night to maintain public order.
Currently, the situation in Dmanisi is calm. On the spot, law enforcers are mobilized. Since the reconciliation, there has not been an incident between the two parties.
On May 16, locals in Dmanisi began a confrontation that escalated to group violence.
On May 16, a video was released on social media showing two groups of Azerbaijani and ethnic Georgian youths arguing in Dmanisi. The footage shows young people hitting one another with sticks.
The police identified those involved in the confrontation. Investigating the incident is currently underway.
By Ana Dumbadze
Image source: Mtavari TV
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