Protesters on Rustaveli met the activists released from detention.
On the 581st day of continuous protests, demonstrators on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi expressed solidarity with political prisoners. Two released participants of the protest joined the daily action.
As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on June 30, on the 580th day of protests, demonstrators on Rustaveli Avenue reminded of the main demands of supporters of Eurointegration. The protesters demanded the release of Nana Sander and Zviad Tsetskhladze.
Opponents of the political course of the "Georgian Dream" took to the streets today for the 581st consecutive evening, reports Publika.
Activists held placards: "Until the end", "The heart will not be killed by the hand of the enemy", "In the end, we will win anyway", "Shoulder to shoulder - to each other", "The struggle for freedom continues", according to photos published by photographer Georgy Mosiashvili (Mo Se) on Facebook*.
Some placards were dedicated to the convicted Mzia Amaglobeli and Abo Naveriani: "Mzia Amaglobeli for a slap in prison, this is your Georgian mentality" and "Freedom for Abo Naveriani".
On June 24, four people were convicted in the case of the attempted storming of the presidential palace in Georgia. The Tbilisi City Court sentenced Nana Sander to seven years in prison, while Abo Naveriani and Anton Uper received five years each.
A separate placard was dedicated to the released activists, which read: "Tornike and Mindia have returned to us - soon we will all be together". Today, activists Mindia Shervashidze and Tornike Toshkhua joined the daily protest action on Rustaveli Avenue after their release, reports Publika.
According to Tornike Toshkhua, returning to Rustaveli Avenue is like returning to a deserted home, to family. "It is a wonderful feeling - to return to a deserted home and to family. I wish the guys and girls who are in unjust imprisonment a swift victory. A victory together with us. I will do everything possible to ensure that this victory comes as soon as possible," Toshkhua said at today's action.
He noted that it is necessary to overcome fear. "It starts primarily with the struggle against oneself, and if you step over yourself once, twice, or three times, you will no longer be afraid, and no repressive law or pressure can suppress you. Gradually, you will become stronger in this struggle," he added.
Mindia Shervashidze thanked the participants of the protest on Rustaveli Avenue and stated that now the struggle until victory begins.
"First of all, I want to greet the guys, be strong, I send them a lot of love, I support them until the end. I want to thank these people for their struggle, for their spirit, I love them all very much. Now the struggle until victory begins. No one will be able to intimidate the fighting Georgian people," Shervashidze said.
On August 16, activists Tornike Toshkhua and Mindia Shervashidze were detained on charges of group violence. Immediately after the detention, Toshkhua declared a hunger strike. On September 8, Tornike Toshkhua ended the hunger strike, citing health reasons. In early October, the court in Tbilisi extended the detention of the activists.
Today, the appellate court softened the sentences of Tornike Toshkhua and Mindia Shervashidze - both were released from detention. The protesters were sentenced to one year in prison on April 1. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Mindia Shervashidze and Tornike Toshkhua committed group violence against former football player and supporter of the "Georgian Dream" Beka Gotsiridze.
Protest participants 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. The "Caucasian Knot" has prepared a reference "Main points on the persecution of protest participants in Georgia".