Participants of the rally on Rustaveli Street expressed solidarity with Nanuka Zhorzholiani

Demonstrators gathered outside the parliament building in Tbilisi on the 538th day of protests in support of journalist Nanuka Zhorzholiani, who was arrested for three days on administrative charges for blocking a sidewalk during a protest.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," on May 18, the 537th day of daily protests, activists on Rustaveli Avenue protested against the Georgian Dream party's plan to create a special body to monitor public expression. Today, the Tbilisi City Court arrested TV presenter and founder of the "Nanuki Foundation" Nanuka Zhorzholiani for three days for blocking a sidewalk during a protest.

Supporters of Georgia's European integration, carrying national and EU flags, gathered outside the parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue for the 538th consecutive evening.

Activists and relatives of political prisoners continued their demands for the release of all those arrested for participating in the protests. Among the slogans with which the demonstrators came out for the daily protest was the traditional "Go Away" addressed to the Georgian Dream party, according to posts by photographer Mo Se and Georgian media on Facebook*.

Those gathered expressed solidarity with Nanuka Zhorzholiani, calling her arrest an attempt to intimidate all protesters. "Nothing will happen to Nanuka for three days; she's a very strong girl; she'll endure this," said Nani Tsulaia, mother of prisoner of conscience Giorgi Mindadze.

"This is an attempt at intimidation; they're telling us, 'Look, we caught Nanuka, too, but who are you?'" says Marizi Kobakhidze, mother of political prisoner Tornike Goshadze.

Father Dorote Kurashvili, who was previously defrocked and suspended from ministry for supporting the protesters, joined the protest today, according to the Pirveli television channel.

Nanuka Zhorzholiani's lawyer was not allowed to see her daughter, Mariam Geguchadze, who reportedly said the lawyer had been able to visit the detention center around the clock until recently, but today facility staff announced that access to detainees is now prohibited in the evening.

"They said this rule changed a few days ago and that entry is now prohibited after 7:00 PM, so she didn't have a lawyer with her. We've organized everything; she has clothes, books, and other things," Geguchadze said.

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. Thousands of people were subjected to administrative prosecution during the protests. The "Caucasian Knot" has prepared a report, "The Main Thing About the Persecution of Protesters in Georgia".