The protest outside the Georgian parliament has been going on for 448 days.
For the 448th day in a row, supporters of Georgia's European integration protested outside parliament. The Georgian Parliament approved amendments to the law in the second reading, making non-recognition of constitutional bodies a criminal offense.
As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," on February 17, supporters of Georgia's European integration protested outside parliament for the 447th day in a row. Giorgi Romelashvili, a participant in the protests on Rustaveli Avenue, was arrested for four days on charges of blocking the road.
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 protested this evening outside the Georgian parliament building with unchanged demands: holding new elections and releasing all those arrested for participating in demonstrations. Citizens brought national flags and EU flags. Protest activists also announced a march for Saturday, Interpressnews reports.
Iranian citizens also joined the protesters outside the Georgian parliament, expressing solidarity with political prisoners in their homeland.
Today, the Georgian Parliament expeditiously considered and, with 83 votes in favor and nine against, supported amendments to The laws on grants and parties are in their second reading. The bill regulates the non-recognition of constitutional bodies and the political activities of business entities. The definition of a grant is expanded, and violations of the grant law will be punishable by imprisonment for up to six years.
According to the bill, anyone who receives income from an organization pursuing foreign interests under an employment contract will be banned from political party membership for eight years. Failure to recognize constitutional bodies has also become a criminal offense—Article 316¹, "Extremism against the constitutional order of Georgia," has been added to the Criminal Code.
According to this article, the following actions will be punishable by imprisonment for up to three years, a fine, or correctional labor: mass violation of the law by a Georgian citizen or a stateless person with status in Georgia, mass disobedience to the Georgian authorities, the creation of alternative Georgian authorities, or the unauthorized presentation of oneself or another person as a representative of the Georgian authorities.
The "Caucasian Knot" also 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 a cordon along the roadway, and protesters have been detained for attempting to enter the road. Nevertheless, on the anniversary of the protests and several other days afterward, protesters marched along the roadway.
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".