Security forces explained the refusal to hold an opposition rally in Tbilisi.

The Opposition Alliance submitted an application for a rally to mark Independence Day late and failed to include all the necessary information, the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs explained in its refusal to permit the rally.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," on May 23, Nika Gvaramia, one of the leaders of the Opposition Alliance, reported that he had received a refusal from the Ministry of Internal Affairs to permit the rally scheduled for May 26 on Rustaveli Avenue. The opposition assured that the rally outside the parliament building will take place despite the ban.

Tbilisi residents shared their attitudes toward the Day Independence

A representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs commented on information disseminated by Nika Gvaramia regarding the event dedicated to Independence Day. The agency explained that the application submitted by the protest's initiators did not meet the document requirements, InterPressNews reported today.

"The submitted application did not meet the requirements established by law – including the statutory deadlines for filing the application. Furthermore, it did not indicate the purpose of the assembly/demonstration, the end time, the expected number of participants, or the form of emergency medical assistance," the agency quoted an Interior Ministry representative as saying.

Accordingly, the protest's initiators were notified that the Patrol Police Department is deprived of the right to "carry out activities stipulated by the Law of Georgia 'On Assemblies and Demonstrations,'" the agency representative added.

07:53 26.05.2018

The First Republic Defined Georgia's Modern Identity

The Act of Independence of Georgia of May 26, 1918, became the foundation of the country's new Constitution, while the events of a century ago led to territorial disputes and seriously impacted Georgian-South Ossetian relations, according to historians interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot."

As a reminder, Georgia's Independence Day is celebrated annually on May 26. On this day in 1918, Georgia's first democratic government, led by Noe Zhordania, proclaimed the country's independence. The Georgian Democratic Republic (First Republic) lasted until March 1921, when the Bolsheviks seized power in Georgia.

On May 26, 2025, activists held marches in central Tbilisi to commemorate the 107th anniversary of Georgia's declaration of independence.

It should be noted that protests have been taking place in central Tbilisi since November 28, 2024, demanding new parliamentary elections and the release of political prisoners. 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 entitled "The Main Thing About the Persecution of Protest Participants in Georgia".

On May 23, the 542nd day of daily protests, a march of supporters of Georgia's European integration was dedicated to the country's approaching Independence Day. Participants carried a banner with the slogan: "Georgia's Independence is Over." They also held Georgian and European Union flags.