The protest on Rustaveli continued amid new arrests of activists.
On the 450th day of continuous pro-European protests outside the Georgian Parliament, a Tbilisi court sentenced three activists who participated in the gatherings on Rustaveli Avenue to administrative arrest.
As the "Caucasian Knot" reported, on February 19, the 449th day of continuous protests outside the Georgian Parliament, activists filed a complaint to the Constitutional Court against legislative restrictions on freedom of assembly.
According to amendments to the Law "On Assemblies and Manifestations" adopted by the Georgian Parliament, restrictions previously imposed on holding rallies on roads also apply to sidewalks and pedestrian streets. To hold a march, you must submit a notification to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and violating the requirements is punishable by arrest. Repeated violations, such as blocking the sidewalk near a government building, will result in criminal prosecution.
Supporters of Georgia's European integration, carrying national and EU flags, gathered today for their daily rally near parliament for the 450th consecutive evening, Publika reports.
Activists came to Rustaveli Avenue with posters reading "The regime stands on slaves, the state on heroes," "Freedom for regime prisoners," "Solidarity - equality - legality," "We do not recognize," "Leave," and "Thoughtcrime," according to photos published on social media by photographer Mo Se and Georgian media.
Earlier in the afternoon, a silent protest demanding the release of political prisoners took place near the Nadzaladevi metro station. Participants unfurled a banner reading "Freedom for Prisoners of Conscience," Tbilisi Life reports.
This afternoon, the Tbilisi City Court sentenced three activists to administrative arrest, accused by police of blocking a road during a protest near parliament on February 7. Sopo Markozia and Lali Kekua were arrested for three days, and Mariam Chkhaidze for two days, Tabula.ge reports.
The "Caucasian Knot" reported that on February 17, Giorgi Romelashvili, a participant in the protests on Rustaveli Avenue, was arrested for four days on the same charge of blocking a road on February 7.
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 1,000 people were subjected to administrative prosecution during the protests. The "Caucasian Knot" has prepared a report, "Key Points to the Persecution of Protesters in Georgia".
Translated automatically via Google translate from https://www.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/420987