Pro-European protests in Tbilisi continue for the 691st day.
Participants of the meeting in the center of Tbilisi on the 691st day of continuous protests expressed support for journalist Vaho Sanaya, who was arrested for his publications on social media.
As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on October 17, on the 689th day of protests, a march took place in Tbilisi under the slogans "No to Torture" and "Georgia without Bidzina Ivanishvili". On October 18, demonstrators gathered near the parliament and demanded change.
The Tbilisi City Court sentenced journalist Vaho Sanaya of "Formula" to 30 days of administrative arrest today for his publications on social media concerning the Chairman of the Parliament Shalva Papuashvili and Deputy Vladimir Bozhadze.
Activists with national flags and European Union flags gathered this evening under the walls of the parliament and at the Tbilisi City Council building for the 691st consecutive evening. The demonstrators have consistent demands: to free all political prisoners, to repeal repressive laws, to return the country to a Euro-Atlantic course, and to hold free elections, reports Publika.
In a video posted by user Giorgi Mumladze, it can be seen that at least 150 people gathered near the parliament. Some protesters are holding flags of Ukraine.
Participants of the action held placards saying “Vaho Sanaya, to the end”, “You can arrest, but you cannot silence”, “Bolsheviks also punished people for words”, “It is shameful to be a ”, and “Crime: Facebook*-status, punishment: 30 days of arrest”, according to photos on the page of photographer Giorgi Mosiashvili (Mo Se) on Facebook*.
Another placard in support of Sanaya read: “Bidzina, you are like Shalva Papuashvili”, – the author of the placard hinted that the same assessments given by the arrested journalist to the Speaker of the Parliament should rightly apply to the founder of "Georgian Dream", which the court deemed offensive.
Protesters 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. During the protests, thousands of people have faced administrative prosecution. "Caucasian Knot" has prepared a report "Main points on the persecution of protest participants in Georgia".