On October 16, 1996, the political bloc “Round Table – Free Georgia” organized a protest in front of the Russian Embassy in Tbilisi, demanding the withdrawal of Russian troops from Georgia. Soon after, police arrived and dispersed the rally with batons.

The following day, journalists raised questions about the dispersal during a briefing held by President Shevardnadze’s press secretary, Vakhtang Abashidze. Reporters demanded to know who had issued the order to break up the protest with force, but no clear answer was given.