Protesters occupied the roadway of the blocked Rustaveli Avenue.

On the 603rd day of continuous protests and the first day of repairs on Rustaveli Avenue, participants of the action near the parliament took to the roadway with flags, which the police had not allowed protesters to access since November 2025.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on July 22, on the 602nd day of protests in Georgia, comedian Onise Okriashvili was beaten near his home, and journalist "Formula" Vakha Sanaya was arrested for 14 days for statements against the speaker of parliament.

Supporters of Georgia's Euro-integration gathered today at the parliament building for the 603rd evening in a row. Citizens voiced their unchanged demands: returning the country to a Euro-Atlantic course, releasing political prisoners, repealing repressive laws, and holding free elections, reports Publika.

The gathered brought national flags, flags of the European Union, Ukraine, and the USA. Some activists with flags stood on the sidewalk, while others went onto the roadway, where repair work began today and traffic was blocked. At least 100 people participated in the gathering, according to a video posted on Facebook* by Tamar Bartaia.

Protesters held placards reading “The idea is immortal,” “The regime sows hatred,” “The party contemptuously feeds the hungry people,” “The dream government kills children,” “The struggle for freedom continues,” “The system must be destroyed,” “It is impossible to remain silent when journalists are arrested. Freedom for Vakha Sanaya!”, “Because of your inaction, we are being killed one by one!” “Georgia has turned into a country of terror!” “Long live the Chekists who 'tamed' Elisashvili” and “Bloody 14 years” (referring to the term of the “Georgian Dream,” which has been in power since 2012), according to photographs by Giorgi Mosiashvili (Mo Se) and Georgian media on Facebook*.

The start of repairs on Rustaveli Avenue provoked a transport collapse in the Tbilisi district of Mtatsminda - it became impossible to exit from its narrow one-way streets with the main avenue's traffic blocked, as well as to enter in the opposite direction, reports Pirveli TV.

“This is how we will remember the first day of repairs on Rustaveli Avenue, and likely, this is how we will live for the next six months. It is frightening to imagine what will happen when everyone returns from vacations and holidays to Tbilisi in early September,” notes Tbilisi_life.

Participants in the protests in Georgia have been demanding new parliamentary elections and the release of political prisoners since November 28, 2024. Law enforcement has conducted harsh dispersals of protests, using tear gas and water cannons, and detained protesters. During the protests, thousands of people have faced administrative prosecution. "Caucasian Knot" has prepared a report on "The main points on the persecution of protest participants in Georgia".