Protesters from various parties demanded in particular the sacking of Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili and Justice Minister Giya Kavtaradze. Police said the situation was under control and that no incidents had been reported.
Opposition leaders said they planned to hold protests on a permanent basis.
Last Friday, five leading opposition parties and a number of non-governmental organizations issued a joint memorandum criticizing the current government. The memorandum slammed amendments made to the country's Constitution, criminal law, and electoral code, and said that the "Georgian president and executive have attempted to appropriate judicial and legislative functions" since the 2003 "rose revolution" that swept Saakashvili to power.
Merabishvili has come under pressure following the murder in January of Sandro Girgvliani, a 28-year-old manager at United Georgian Bank. Girgvliani's family, opposition movements and non-governmental organizations have accused top Interior Ministry officials of complicity in the murder, and demanded Merabishvili's dismissal.
