Rioters in Georgian Dmanisi announce parties' reconciliation

Residents of the city of Dmanisi have reconciled and agreed not to admit continuation of riots. Despite the announcement about the end of conflict, reinforced police units are still on duty in the city.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on May 16, in Dmanisi (Kvemo Kartli Region), a mass brawl broke out with the participation of about 30 people – local ethnic Azerbaijanis and forced migrants from Svaneti. On May 17, clashes with law enforcers occurred. The reason for the aggravation of interethnic confrontation in Dmanisi was in economic problems, analysts believe.

Giorgi Tatuashvili, Dmanisi Mayor, claims that the conflict was not an interethnic one.

"All the ethnic groups in Georgia should have one goal – to join hands and work together to strengthen the country," Etibar Eminov, the Mufti of Eastern Georgia, has noted as reported by the Georgian "Channel One".

According to eyewitnesses, the riots in Dmanisi began after several young men entered a local store and asked for a beer loan. The saleswoman refused, after which a crowd of 40-50 people attacked the store, the "Report.az" informs.

According to Vakhtang Maisaya, Doctor of Military and Political Sciences, conflicts and fights of store owners with customers in Dmanisi arise if, in the current difficult socioeconomic situation, the store owners refuse to lend food to their customers.