Rallies on Rustaveli continue amid persecution for blocking the sidewalk.

Supporters of Georgia's European integration gathered for a protest outside the parliament building in Tbilisi for the 426th consecutive day. One of the leaders of the Workers' Party, Lasha Chkhartishvili, faces criminal charges for repeatedly blocking a sidewalk.

As "Caucasian Knot" reported, on January 26, the 425th day of daily protests, another administrative case for blocking traffic on a sidewalk was reported. Marina Zhvania, 69, a participant in the Rustaveli protests, faces up to 15 days in jail.

Participants in the ongoing protest gathered today outside the parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi with flags and banners. They recalled the demands of supporters of Georgia's European integration, which have remained unchanged for the second year in a row: holding new parliamentary elections and releasing all those arrested in connection with the protests, Interpressnews reports.

Today marks the 426th day of ongoing protests, Publika reports.

Police and courts continue to prosecute protesters on Rustaveli Avenue under stricter provisions of the law on assemblies and demonstrations. One of the leaders of the Workers' Party, Lasha Chkhartishvili, reported that the court dismissed his latest administrative charge for standing on the sidewalk and returned the materials to the Ministry of Internal Affairs for criminal prosecution.

“One step towards a year in prison. The decision to initiate a criminal case [for standing on the sidewalk] was officially handed to me right now,” Netgazeti quotes Chkhartishvili as saying.

According to the decision, which the activist published on social media, Chkhartishvili was found to have violated the law on “blocking a sidewalk” on October 24, 2025, and another report under the same law was filed against him on December 22.

The "Caucasian Knot" reported that on January 23, a Tbilisi court imposed administrative arrests on five activists charged with an administrative offense for standing on the sidewalk after the December 2025 protests. In addition, at least eight regular protesters on Rustaveli Avenue, including doctor Vazha Gaprindashvili and Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Sadigov, are facing criminal prosecution for repeatedly blocking the sidewalk.

Protesters in Georgia have been demanding new parliamentary elections and the release of political prisoners since November 28, 2024. Security forces have violently dispersed the protests, using tear gas and water cannons, and have detained protesters. Over the course of the protests, more than 1,000 people have been subjected to administrative prosecution. The "Caucasian Knot" has prepared a report, "The Main Thing About the Persecution of Protesters in Georgia".