Demonstrators in Tbilisi protested against "Kremlin laws"
Activists gathered on the 589th day of protests outside the Parliament of Georgia accused the "Georgian Dream" of political pressure on socially vulnerable citizens, while relatives of political prisoners held a protest outside the Public Broadcaster's building.
As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on July 8, the 588th day of continuous protests, participants in the action outside the Parliament of Georgia demanded the release of political prisoners.
Citizens of Georgia gathered today in front of the Parliament building for the 589th consecutive day, demanding a return to a Euro-Atlantic course, the release of political prisoners, free elections, and the repeal of repressive laws, reports Publika.
Activists with flags of Georgia, the European Union, Ukraine, and the USA stood at the edge of the sidewalk near the roadway of Rustaveli Avenue. At least 150 people participated in the gathering, according to a video published by Tamar Bartaia on Facebook*.
The protesters held placards: “Care instead of indifference”, “Buying social votes”, “Kremlin laws kill democratic Georgia”, “For the homeland until the end”, “Freedom for regime prisoners”, “Glory to Ukraine”, and “We are Georgia”, according to publications by photographer Georgy Mosiashvili (Mo Se) and Netgazeti on Facebook*
The government of Georgia made changes in May to the rules for forming a unified database of socially vulnerable families eligible for state assistance. According to these amendments, in some cases, families will be automatically excluded from registration in the social assistance database. In particular, social benefits will be denied to families of convicts placed in correctional facilities, families of military personnel, and those who have been abroad for more than three months, writes JAMnews. Tazo Datunashvili, a member of the "Lelo - Strong Georgia" party, commenting on these amendments, stated that the "Georgian Dream" is using the social assistance system for political purposes and "putting it at the service of the political agenda", reported Tabula.ge.
Relatives and friends of political prisoners held a 12-hour protest outside the Public Broadcaster's building. The protesters stated that they have been unsuccessfully seeking airtime to cover their struggle for a year and a half. “Their protest today was not shown in the news of the Public Broadcaster,” notes Tbilisi_life.
If airtime is not provided to the relatives of political prisoners, the demonstrators intend to extend the protest to 24 hours and spend the night outside the Public Broadcaster's building. The channel's management insists in response to official requests that “all opinions are taken into account” in their broadcasting schedule, and that interference in the channel's activities is unacceptable.
Protest participants in Georgia have been demanding new parliamentary elections and the release of political prisoners since November 28, 2024. Security forces have conducted harsh dispersals of protests, using tear gas and water cannons, and have detained protesters. Thousands of people have faced administrative prosecution during the protests. "Caucasian Knot" has prepared a report "Main points on the persecution of protest participants in Georgia".