Georgian opposition members end hunger strike outside parliament

On the 34th day of their hunger strike, opposition members ended their protest at the request of Archimandrite Dorote Kurashvili, but intend to remain outside the parliament building around the clock and seek the implementation of their demands.

As reported by the Caucasian Knot, on October 28, one of the leaders of the "Coalition for Change" Gedevan Popkhadze, an activist of the "United National Movement" Darejan Tskhvitaria, and several other people announced a hunger strike in protest against the persecution of supporters of European integration. The protest is taking place outside the Georgian parliament building, where protesters gather daily. On November 4, the total number of hunger strikers reached eight. On the 31st day of the hunger strike, three of the participants ended their hunger strike due to deteriorating health. The rest declared their readiness to continue the protest until their main demands are met: new elections and the release of political prisoners. Six people are participating in the protest. On the 33rd day of the hunger strike held by activists outside the Georgian Parliament, David Chelidze fell ill and was hospitalized.

Hunger strikers outside the Parliament have ended their hunger strike. Archimandrite Dorote Kurashvili called them to this decision, Publika reports.

One of the leaders of the "Coalition for Change," Gedevan Popkhadze, whose health has recently worsened, also ended his hunger strike, Interpressnews reports.

As Darejan Tskhvitaria stated, the decision to temporarily suspend the hunger strike was made at the request of Archimandrite Dorote Kurashvili.

"I have not stopped the struggle, I am ending the hunger strike temporarily, because Father Dorote came to us today and told us that he came on behalf of the Lord, as a Christian father, and asks us to stop the hunger strike. It was very difficult for me, I have never broken my word in my life, but he is such a respected holy father that I agreed. The struggle will definitely continue. We do not intend to go anywhere, we will continue to sleep in these tents, but "We will move, we will gather people, and at least 100 people will continue the hunger strike here," stated Darejan Tskhvitaria.

On November 28, 2024, the European Parliament refused to recognize the results of the parliamentary elections in Georgia and called for sanctions against the leaders of the Georgian Dream party. On the same day, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that Georgia would withdraw from negotiations on EU accession until the end of 2028. Following this statement, protests began across the country demanding new parliamentary elections and the release of all those detained for participating in the demonstrations.

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