Members of the Coalition for Change have announced a hunger strike outside the Georgian parliament.

Former Georgian parliament member and member of the opposition Coalition for Change, Gedevan Popkhadze, has declared a hunger strike in protest against the mass persecution of activists. Several of his coalition comrades have joined the protest.

Key points on the persecution of protesters in Georgia

Protesters in Georgia have been demanding new parliamentary elections and the release of all political prisoners since November 28, 2024. They have been holding daily protests on Rustaveli Avenue. Security forces have violently dispersed the protests, using tear gas and water cannons, and have detained protesters. More than a thousand people were subjected to administrative prosecution. On October 27, protesters blocked Rustaveli Avenue for the 334th consecutive day.

Coalition for Change member Gedevan Popkhadze, United National Movement activist Darejan Tskhvitaria, and several others announced a hunger strike on Rustaveli Avenue. The action is taking place outside the Georgian Parliament building, where protesters gather daily.

According to Popkhadze, he declared the hunger strike in protest against the mass daily arrests of demonstrators for blocking Rustaveli Avenue. He noted that blocking the street is "not the only form of protest."

“We must create a new center of protest. We must counter the government’s actions regarding the closure of Rustaveli Avenue with a new form of protest. This form is effective and, in my opinion, adequate to the reality the regime has created in this situation,” InterPressNews quotes Popkhadze as saying.

The hunger strikers are making the same demands of the authorities that the participants of the daily rallies on Rustaveli Avenue consistently voice: hold new parliamentary elections and release all political prisoners.

Darejan Tskhvitaria has been protesting for the past year in a tent set up near the parliament building, Publika notes.