The protest outside the Georgian parliament has continued for 447 days.
For the 447th consecutive day, supporters of Georgia's European integration protested outside the parliament. Giorgi Romelashvili, a participant in the protests on Rustaveli Avenue, was arrested for four days on charges of blocking the road.
As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," on February 16, the 446th day of continuous protests, protesters outside the Georgian parliament opposed the Georgian Dream party's plans to introduce an article on extremism and the grounds of "non-recognition of the government" into the Criminal Code.
A new aggravating circumstance is planned to be added to Article 53 of the Criminal Code, "General Principles of Sentencing," if the crime is committed for the reason of non-recognition of the constitutional order or constitutional bodies. A new Article 316¹, "Extremism against the constitutional order of Georgia," is also being introduced. It will, in particular, punish public calls for mass disobedience to Georgian government bodies or "other systematic actions aimed at creating the perception of illegitimacy of government bodies." The draft article provides for up to three years' imprisonment for citizens, and liquidation or a fine for legal entities.
Activists in Tbilisi held a protest outside the Georgian parliament building this evening with unchanged demands: holding new elections and releasing all those arrested for participating in demonstrations. The protest is being held for the 447th consecutive day, Publika reports.
Citizens brought national flags, EU flags, and protest posters. A photo from Rustaveli Avenue shows posters reading "Demography is the result of policy," "Leave," and "We are against sale and destruction." Universities.”
The Tbilisi City Court today remanded activist Giorgi Romelashvili, who actively assists political prisoners, in custody for four days. The Ministry of Internal Affairs stated that Romelashvili blocked the roadway on Rustaveli Avenue on February 7. After the court hearing, he was taken to a detention center in Mtskheta, Tbilisi Life reports.
The "Caucasian Knot" reported that demonstrators blocked traffic on Rustaveli Avenue for 343 consecutive days. Since November 6, 2025, security forces have prevented activists from blocking traffic, setting up cordons along the roadway, and detaining protesters for attempting to enter the road. Nevertheless, on the anniversary of the protests and on several other days after it, protesters marched along the roadway.
Protesters in Georgia On November 28, 2024, protesters demanded new parliamentary elections and the release of political prisoners. 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, "The Main Thing About the Persecution of Protest Participants in Georgia."