Protesters in Tbilisi blocked traffic amid arrests of protesters

Protesters blocked traffic near the Georgian Parliament this evening. At least six people were arrested for "artificially blocking the road," and several more activists received fines. Zviad Tsetskhladze, who was convicted for participating in the protest, went on a hunger strike in protest of his father's administrative arrest.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," on October 22, the 329th day of continuous protests, police detained activists en masse who were attempting to block traffic on Rustaveli Avenue. The Ministry of Internal Affairs stated that up to 20 people were detained, while human rights activists reported that the number of detainees was around 30. A day later, on October 23, police allowed demonstrators to briefly block the roadway on Rustaveli Avenue, as there were more activists than the previous day. On October 24, about 25 people were detained, but despite this, demonstrators blocked traffic for the 331st consecutive day.

Protesters blocked traffic near the Georgian Parliament on the 332nd day of daily protests; the road was blocked for about an hour, Publika reports.

The court sentenced Giorgi Sikharulidze and Nika Pataraia to three days of administrative arrest and four days of administrative arrest for the activists detained for blocking the road yesterday during the protest on Rustaveli Avenue. The judge gave Ana Lomidze an oral warning. Director and founder of Formula, Giorgi Liponava, was sentenced to three days in jail. Giga Lemonjava, one of the leaders of the Coalition for Change, was sentenced to 14 days in jail. The Tbilisi City Court also sentenced journalist Vasil Ivanov-Chikovani to seven days of administrative arrest and fined his wife, Maia Bokeria, 5,000 lari. Activist Ilia Glonti, who was detained near the Georgian Parliament on October 22, was fined 2,000 lari for violating public order and insulting a police officer. Anastasia Japaridze was fined 4,000 lari by the court, Interpressnews reports. Zviad Tsetskhladze, convicted of organizing group violence, has begun a hunger strike in a penitentiary, the Dafioni movement announced today on its Facebook page. The decision to go on a hunger strike was made after the Tbilisi City Court sentenced his father, Zurab Tsetskhladze, to seven days of administrative arrest for blocking a road. Activist Tamar Lortkipanidze was remanded in custody. The ruling was made by Judge Tamar Shamatava. The Georgian Prosecutor's Office charged Tamar Lortkipanidze with violence and assault on a police vehicle. According to security officials, on the evening of October 22 in Tbilisi, on Rustaveli Avenue, near the Georgian Parliament, the accused struck a taxi driver in the face, resulting in bodily injuries. Security officials also stated that Lortkipanidze attacked a police car, climbed onto its roof, and intentionally kicked it. The damage caused by the accused was estimated at 3,300 lari. She was charged under Articles 126 (violence resulting in physical pain to the victim) and Article 353, Part 1 (attack on a police officer's vehicle while on duty), which carries a prison sentence of 4 to 7 years, Interpressnews reports.

Protesters in Georgia have been demanding new parliamentary elections and the release of political prisoners since November 28, 2024.. Security forces violently dispersed the protests, using tear gas and water cannons, and detained protesters. Over the course of the protests, more than a thousand people were subjected to administrative prosecution. The Caucasian Knot has compiled materials about the parliamentary elections and the protests that followed on the page "Elections in Georgia-2024".