Demonstrators in the center of Tbilisi demanded the release of political prisoners.
On the 688th day of continuous protests, participants gathered in front of the Parliament of Georgia expressed their protest against the "Georgian Dream" and its founder Bidzina Ivanishvili, as well as demanded the release of all prisoners of conscience.
As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on October 15, residents of Tbilisi held a daily rally in support of Eurointegration for the 687th consecutive day. The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, urged the citizens of Georgia, who continue to fight for the European future of the country, to "not give up".
Activists with national flags and EU flags gathered today outside the Parliament of Georgia and the Tbilisi City Council building, demanding the release of political prisoners and a return to a Euro-Atlantic course for the country. They are also calling for the repeal of repressive laws and free elections; the rally is taking place for the 688th evening in a row, reports Publika.
Demonstrators held placards saying "Being a cat is shameful", "Freedom for Zviad Tsetskhladze", "Freedom for all political prisoners", "Georgia without Ivanishvili", "Russia is the enemy", "Torture is a crime, do not become an accomplice", and "Bidzina is the enemy", according to photos on the page of photographer Georgy Mosiashvili (Mo Se) on Facebook*.
One of the placards at the rally read: "Today the body of a hero was delivered – Lasha Broladze". This refers to a 31-year-old participant in military actions on the side of Ukraine, who was killed at the front.
Lasha Broladze was a native of the Guria region; he graduated from school in the village of Meria. The body of the serviceman was delivered to Georgia today. "At the airport, he was met by relatives, friends, and ordinary citizens who came to pay their respects to the fallen fighter," reports Pirveli.
Another placard, "Freedom for Mohamad Mahdi", is dedicated to an Iranian activist who was detained by the Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia on October 12. After his detention, Mohamad Mahdi Rahimiani was placed in a migration prison, as his temporary residence permit had expired.
The Iranian activist arrived in Georgia in 2022 and actively participated in protest actions. The Georgian authorities refused to grant asylum to Rahimiani and his family – his wife and two minor daughters, who study in a Georgian school. Human rights defenders point out that deporting the opposition figure to Iran poses a serious threat to his life, writes Tbilisi_life.
Protesters in Georgia have been demanding new parliamentary elections and the release of political prisoners since November 28, 2024. Security forces have conducted harsh crackdowns on protests, using tear gas and water cannons, and detaining 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".