Two Tbilisi protesters have been sentenced to arrest for blocking a sidewalk.

A Tbilisi court sentenced Sandro Megrelishvili and Dmitry Dzhamburia to four days in jail for blocking sidewalks near the parliament building. The defense will appeal the verdict.

As "Caucasian Knot" reported, on January 22, the 421st day of daily protests, supporters of Georgia's European integration demanded the release of political prisoners during a daily protest on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi.

Sandro Megrelishvili and Dmitry Dzhamburia were sentenced to four days of administrative arrest for standing on the sidewalk during the protest. The ruling was made by Tbilisi City Court Judge David Makaradze, InterPressNews reported today.

According to Sandro Megrelishvili's lawyer, Irakli Abesadze, the ruling "is based on the stupid law of the Papuashvili parliament, which attempts to deal with people by force."

According to Abesadze, the case will definitely be appealed to the Strasbourg Court of Human Rights.

He added. That there is no evidence in the case other than the fact that his client was peacefully standing on the sidewalk.

"That is, if you stand on the sidewalk, drink beer, eat sunflower seeds, and gossip about the lives of your neighbors or talk about Ivanishvili's zebras, or at least about football, you are not breaking the law. But if you stand on the sidewalk, holding a Georgian flag, and talk about a better future for your country, its development paths, you are a serious offender, and your place is in prison for up to 15 days. If you dare again and talk about the fate of the country on the sidewalk, this is already a criminal offense, and you will receive up to a year in prison," Abesadze emphasized.

As the "Caucasian Knot" wrote, according to amendments to the law "On Assemblies and Manifestations" adopted by the Georgian Parliament, the restrictions previously introduced on holding rallies on the roads applyto sidewalks and pedestrian streets. To hold a march, you must submit a notification to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and violating the requirements is punishable by arrest. Repeated violations, such as blocking a sidewalk near a government building, will result in criminal prosecution.