Protest In Georgia Turns Violent, 21 Injured

In Georgia, at least 20 people were injured and 40 detained, during a mass anti-police protest which turned violent in Batumi on Sunday.



Eleven police officers and 10 demonstrators were hospitalized with various injuries as well as symptoms of gas poisoning.



The confrontations erupted following a spontaneous protest by local residents after police arrested several men who refused to accept their parking tickets.



However the protest soon turned violent where police used tear gas and rubber bullets against rioters.



It was reported that some protesters set several police cars on fire and attempted to storm a police station. 



According to media reports, Batumi residents had been angered by what they saw as disproportionately high police fines for minor traffic offenses.



Georgia's Interior Minister said that the situation is now fully under control and have call for the release of all those detained.