22:07, 2 October 2025

Activists in Tbilisi demand the release of Gela Khasai

The daily gathering of supporters of Georgia's European integration on Rustaveli Avenue was preceded by a rally demanding the release of arrested opposition figure Gela Hasai. Protesters blocked traffic near the parliament building for the 309th consecutive day.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot," on October 1, participants in the women's march in Tbilisi demanded the release of all women detained and convicted in connection with their participation in the protests. Near the parliament building, they, along with other protesters, blocked traffic.

Since November 28, 2024, opposition members and activists have been holding daily protests near the Georgian Parliament and blocking traffic along Rustaveli Avenue, demanding the release of all arrested demonstrators and the calling of new parliamentary elections.

Today, on the 309th day of continuous protests, protesters near the Georgian Parliament once again blocked traffic along Rustaveli Avenue, Publika reports.

As in previous days, protesters brought Georgian and EU flags to the parliament, reiterating their unwavering demands: the release of all arrested demonstrators and the calling of new parliamentary elections, InterPressNews reports.

The rally on Rustaveli Avenue was preceded by a rally demanding the release of arrested "Girchi - More Freedom" party activist Gela Hasai. Participants surrounded the St. George monument in Freedom Square and formed a human chain. They were later joined by participants in a march demanding that the Public Broadcaster be given airtime to the relatives of political prisoners, and then all the activists proceeded to the parliament building.

In April 2024, Gela Hasaya, detained at a protest against the foreign agent law, was fined 2,600 lari (approximately $930) by the court. Hasaya was found guilty of petty hooliganism and disobeying police orders.

Protesters argued that the brutal treatment Hasaya described in court the day before amounted to torture, Pirveli TV reports.

According to Hasaya's lawyers, the arrested activist is not acquainted with Vasil Kerdikoshvili, a defendant in the same case, with whom, according to police, he and Kerdikoshvili beat a man. The defense points out that there is no neutral evidence in the case, emphasizing that it is politically motivated. The activist had previously been repeatedly threatened with arrest, and after his arrest, one of the security officials said he had "fulfilled his promise," noted lawyer Omar Purtseladze.

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Translated automatically via Google translate from https://www.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/415960