Protesters on Rustaveli Avenue challenged the law on arrests for blocking sidewalks.

On the 449th day of continuous protests outside the Georgian parliament, activists filed a complaint with the Constitutional Court against legislative restrictions on freedom of assembly.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," on February 17, Giorgi Romelashvili, a participant in the protests on Rustaveli Avenue, was arrested for four days on charges of blocking the road. On February 18, the Georgian Parliament approved amendments to the law in the second reading, making non-recognition of constitutional bodies a criminal offense.

Supporters of Georgia's European integration came to the parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue for the 449th consecutive time this evening with flags and protest posters, Publika reports.

Some of the protesters' posters were dedicated to Maro Makashvili, the first woman to be recognized as a National Hero of Georgia in 2015, according to a Facebook post by photographer Mo Se*.

Maro Makashvili was a Georgian student who volunteered for the front during the Soviet-Georgian War and died near Tiflis on February 19, 1921, at the age of 19. Activists brought posters to Rustaveli reading "Maro Makashvili is immortal" and a poster quoting her words, "Do not be afraid, we will achieve a glorious victory!"

Also seen at the protest were posters reading "Friend in Prison," "Leave," and "We'll Recognize If You Release Misha." The latter is dedicated to Georgia's third president, Mikheil Saakashvili, who is currently in prison, and refers to a bill that criminalizes non-recognition of government authorities.

Also today, activists Ana Bdeyan, Lizi Ubilava, and Lasha Songulia filed a constitutional complaint with the Constitutional Court of Georgia challenging previously adopted amendments to the Law on Assemblies and Demonstrations, the Code of Administrative Offenses, and the Criminal Code of Georgia. These articles provide for administrative arrest and imprisonment for "intentionally obstructing the movement of people or vehicles," Interpressnews reports.

The authors of the complaint point out that the adopted amendments violate Article 21 of the Constitution of Georgia, which guarantees citizens freedom of peaceful assembly. They also cite other articles of the Constitution, such as "human dignity is inviolable and protected by the state" and "no one can be held accountable for an action that was not considered a violation of the law at the time it was committed."

Protesters in Georgia have been demanding new parliamentary elections and the release of political prisoners since November 28, 2024. Security forces violently dispersed the protests, using tear gas and water cannons, and detained protesters. Over the course of the protests, more than 1,000 people were subjected to administrative prosecution. The "Caucasian Knot" has prepared a report, "The Main Thing About the Persecution of Protesters in Georgia".