The large-scale power outage did not prevent protesters from gathering on Rustaveli.

Supporters of Eurointegration gathered on the 616th day of continuous protests at the Parliament of Georgia, despite the third large-scale blackout in the last two weeks. The opposition puts forward versions of sabotage, incompetence, and corruption in the energy sector.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on August 4, supporters of Eurointegration, gathered on the 615th day of continuous protests at the Parliament of Georgia, discussed the possibility of temporarily relocating actions to the Tbilisi City Council building during the repair of Rustaveli Avenue.

Supporters of Eurointegration of Georgia with national flags and EU flags gathered today at the Parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue and at the Tbilisi City Council building, located a few hundred meters away, reports Tbilisi life.

Today, two activists were also released from custody: Tornike Toshkhuia, who spent five days in detention, and Shako Bagdoshvili, who served ten days in detention, informs the public organization Protest24 on Facebook*.

A third large-scale power outage occurred in Georgia in two weeks

According to a member of the National Commission for Regulation of Energy and Water Supply of Georgia Giorgi Pangani, the complete shutdown of Georgia's energy system is related to planned tests of the Inguri Hydroelectric Power Plant units. A detailed analysis of what happened is currently being conducted to determine the exact cause of the accident.

"I want to inform you that today the State Electric System of Georgia was conducting planned testing of the Inguri HPP units. Its purpose was to identify and assess weaknesses in the system considering the accidents that occurred on July 24 and 25. As part of the testing, among other activities, the operation of Georgia's energy system in an isolated mode was planned. This mode was associated with certain technical risks, including the possibility of a complete shutdown of the electric system," Pangani wrote on Facebook*.

The chairman of the "European Democrats" party Paata Davitaia commented on the statement of the member of the National Commission of Georgia for Regulation of Energy and Water Supply regarding the reasons for the large-scale power outage across the country.

Speaking on the program of the "Palitra News" channel, Davitaia stated that the Inguri HPP currently provides about 70% of the electricity in the country, not the entire energy system, so the explanation for the complete shutdown being only due to the work being conducted at the station raises questions.

"We are dealing with a 100% power outage. In the first statement, they blamed the Inguri HPP, then changed their mind and switched to something else. I suspect that certain sabotage attacks are taking place from the Russian Federation, which the authorities do not publicly report. There can be many reasons: 'if you do not act as needed, you will have problems,'" Davitaia stated.

The politician emphasized that the protective equipment did not work, so the question arises: why did it work for so many years, and in 10 days, all of Georgia was left without power three times.

"If the protective systems did not work, then this is sabotage, for which a case has been initiated. If no one is detained in the sabotage case, it will mean either a delay in the investigation or concealment of information," Davitaia concluded.

The opposition politician, former president of the National Bank of Georgia Roman Gotsiridze, links the current situation in the country's energy sector to incompetence, corruption, and infrastructure problems during the rule of the "Georgian Dream". The former deputy stated that the reason for the large-scale power outage was not sabotage, but an outdated energy network, the condition of which was also affected by crypto miners.

"What will please the authorities of the 'Georgian Dream' the most is if we scream that this is the fault of sabotage, that is, enemies. In fact, everything is clearer than clear - the network cannot withstand the load. In its wear and tear over ten years, crypto energy vampires have also contributed - ruthlessly wearing out the system. Mistakes, incompetence, and widespread corruption are the reasons for what is happening," Gotsiridze wrote on Facebook*.

"This is already the third 'testing'. And if this was a 'test', and 'planned', then why didn't you at least warn the metro driver, the driver of the Tbilisi - Zugdidi train, or the leading pro-government TV channels 'Imedi' and 'Rustavi2'? It turns out you knew about this and intentionally did not warn anyone?" said former diplomat and former deputy director of the Political Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Zurab Parjiani.

It should be noted that the Ministry of Energy of Abkhazia reported that "Abkhazia was left without electricity due to a systemic accident at the Inguri HPP".