Protesters in Tbilisi protested against repressive laws.
Participants in the rally on Rustaveli Avenue, on the 539th day of continuous protests, called on Georgian citizens to rise up against the dictatorship and demanded the release of political prisoners.
As "Caucasian Knot" reported, on May 19, the 538th day of daily protests, demonstrators gathered outside the parliament building in Tbilisi supported journalist Nanuka Zhorzholiani, who was arrested for three days on administrative charges of blocking a sidewalk during a protest.
Supporters of Georgia's European integration, carrying national, US, and EU flags, gathered outside the parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue for the 539th consecutive evening.
Activists continued their demands for the release of all those arrested for participating in the protests. Among the slogans carried by the demonstrators at the daily protest were: "Decent citizens resist repressive laws," "Collapse of the regime," "We will win," and "Together to Europe," according to posts by photographer Mo Se and Georgian media on Facebook*.
Today, activist Tatia Mekvabishvili was taken into custody near the parliament building. A Tbilisi court sentenced her to two days in prison for standing on the sidewalk. Tatia Mekvabishvili approached law enforcement officers and asked to be detained after learning of the verdict.
Before being placed in a police car, Mekvabishvili made a short statement and wished freedom to prisoners of conscience.
"I think society is now coming to its senses, and we will continue to fight for our country and the future of our children. I know that this fear will be overcome in Georgia, and we will all stand together on the threshold of freedom. Freedom for the prisoners of the regime," Mekvabishvili said.
Fifth President of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili will join the large march announced for May 26, Georgia's Independence Day, Pirveli TV reports.
According to her, she will be with the people on May 26 and will join the protest march from Tbilisi State University. to Rustaveli. "I will be at the mass protest rally that is planned and will begin from the university to Rustaveli at 7:00 p.m. We will all stand together in defense of independence," Zurabishvili said.
Protesters in Georgia have been demanding new parliamentary elections and the release of political prisoners since November 28, 2024. Security forces have carried out violent dispersals of the protests, using tear gas and water cannons, and have detained protesters. Thousands of people have been subjected to administrative prosecution during the protests. The "Caucasian Knot" has prepared a report "The Main Thing About the Persecution of Protesters in Georgia".