Demonstrators in Tbilisi are outraged by fines for performing the protest song.
The court in Tbilisi fined singer Sofo Batiashvili for performing the protest song "Ole Ola". Participants of the gathering on the 715th day of continuous protests criticized this decision.
As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on the 714th day of continuous protests, on November 11, participants of the action in Tbilisi demanded an investigation into Sergey Kancheli's statements about threats and torture, after which he was forced to leave the country. The day before, on November 10, those gathered in Tbilisi honored the memory of elderly activist Mzisa Gabeshia, who had been conducting pro-European pickets in Martvili since 2024.
On November 3, it became known that the Ministry of Internal Affairs had drawn up a protocol on an administrative offense against singer Sofo Batiashvili, who posted a video of her performance of the song "Ole Ola" on her social media page. According to the police, the recording contains offensive expressions directed at representatives of the "Georgian Dream".
Supporters of Georgia's Eurointegration gathered today in front of the parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue for the 715th consecutive day, reports Netgazeti.
Activists with national flags and EU flags, who have been gathering in the evenings in front of the Tbilisi City Council for the past few months, are voicing their unchanged main demands – the release of all political prisoners and a rejection of pro-Russian policies in favor of a Euro-Atlantic course.
Demonstrators held placards saying “The enemy of their own people will not go unpunished”, “They use violence because they are not punished”, “Long live the struggle of Mzisa Gabeshia” and “The people will 100% defeat you”, according to a series of photos on the page of photographer Giorgi Mosiashvili (Mo Se) on Facebook*.
Some of the placards were dedicated to the decision of the Tbilisi City Court, which today fined singer Sofo Batiashvili 3,000 lari (about 1,100 USD): “Bidzina, Ole Ola”, “Ole+Ola=3000 lari” and “A government that fines for a song and turns a blind eye to violence and torture of homeless animals”.
Judge Koba Chagunaava recognized Batiashvili's post on Facebook* where she shared a video of her own version of the protest song as petty hooliganism. Police had previously fined participants of actions who sang "Ole Ola" during rallies.
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 detained protesters. During the protests, thousands of people have faced administrative prosecution. "Caucasian Knot" has prepared a reference "Main points on the persecution of protest participants in Georgia".