Protesters in Georgia unblocked Rustaveli Avenue at the request of police.

Protesters in Tbilisi today, on the 325th day of protests, blocked traffic on Rustaveli Avenue, but after a demand from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which reminded them of the tightening of laws against violations at mass protests, they opened the road to vehicles.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," on October 17, protesters in Tbilisi blocked Rustaveli Avenue for the 324th day in a row, despite a warning from the Ministry of Internal Affairs about tougher penalties for demonstrators. During the protest, journalist Afgan Sadygov burned portraits of Bidzina Ivanishvili and Vladimir Putin.

Protesters outside the Georgian Parliament today, the 325th day of daily protests, blocked traffic on Rustaveli Avenue, but soon cleared the road, Publika reports.

The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs issued a statement stating that "on Rustaveli Avenue, near the Georgian Parliament building, protesters, despite the small number of demonstrators, artificially blocked the roadway and impeded traffic.  According to Article 11¹ of the Law of Georgia "On Assemblies and Manifestations," artificially blocking the roadway is prohibited unless the number of participants in the assembly or manifestation so requires." The agency gave demonstrators 15 minutes to clear the roadway. Police arrived on the scene and unblocked the blocked Rustaveli Avenue, Interpressnews reports.

Four protesters were also arrested today in connection with the attempted seizure of the presidential palace on October 4: Yuri Lomidze, Giorgi Talakhadze, Davit Giunashvili, and Temur Kurtsikidze. Activist Mariam Mekantsishvili was released on bail of 10,000 lari; money has already been raised for her, Publika reports.

Municipal elections were held in all municipalities of Georgia on October 4. Candidates from the ruling Georgian Dream party were elected mayor in all 64 cities where elections were held, receiving 100% of the vote in 26 of them. These elections will determine the political balance in Georgia for the coming years. The next major elections in the country are scheduled for 2028, so the current vote is essentially crucial for both the government and the opposition, according to the "Caucasian Knot" report "Municipal Elections in Georgia on October 4, 2025".

On October 4, the day of the municipal elections, thousands of people gathered in central Tbilisi. After opera singer Paata Burchaladze declared that power in Georgia belongs to the people, clashes broke out between protesters and security forces near the presidential palace. Security forces used riot gear, while protesters used firecrackers. Six demonstrators and 21 security forces were hospitalized, and another 30 people received medical treatment on the spot. Police have opened a criminal case in connection with calls to overthrow the government, an attack on police officers, and the storming of the palace.

Caucasian Knot is posting materials about the recent municipal elections and protests by opposition supporters on the thematic page "Georgia: Elections Amid Protests".