**Protesters Clash with Police Outside Judges‘ Corporate Event**
A tense standoff took place outside the “Babilo” restaurant in Tbilisi on January 12, where judges were holding a corporate event. Angry protesters, including family members of people arrested during pro-European protests, gathered at around 3 p.m.
The police, including representatives from the Special Tasks Department, mobilized near the restaurant and brought a water cannon to the scene. As some of the judges started leaving the restaurant under police escort in the evening, some protesters were arrested.
**Background**
The corporate event came after two recent decisions by judges to remand 19 people arrested during protests in custody. This sparked an outcry and backlash against the judiciary, which is widely believed to be controlled by the ruling Georgian Dream party.
Several judges from the so-called “judicial clan,” including Levan Murusidze, who has been sanctioned by the US, Estonia, Lithuania, and other countries, attended the event.
**Protesters’ Demands**
A banner held by protesters read: “A corrupt judiciary undermines democracy and violates human rights.” Protesters chanted: “Judges everywhere, justice nowhere.” Some judges had to enter the restaurant through the back door, with protesters shouting at them, “Slaves!”
**Aftermath**
Police arrested several people at the scene, but the exact number is not yet known. A few judges who left the event earlier were escorted out by police and some protesters threw eggs at them.
The situation remains tense, with protesters and police still on the site at midnight. More information will follow.
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