22:14, 10 June 2026

Protesters have demanded a change in Georgia's political course for the 560th day in a row.

Activists outside the Georgian Parliament in Tbilisi on the 560th day of continuous protests. Photo: Netgazeti/ Facebook

On the 560th day of continuous protests, protesters on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi demanded the release of political prisoners and new elections. The court sentenced 14 defendants in the case of the storming of the presidential palace who pleaded guilty to suspended sentences.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," on June 9, on the 559th day of continuous protests, participants in a rally near the Georgian Parliament expressed solidarity with journalist Afgan Sadigov, arrested in Azerbaijan.

Despite the rain, supporters of Georgia's European integration gathered outside the parliament building in Tbilisi for the 560th time in a row this evening. Activists on Rustaveli Avenue held national flags, as well as flags of the European Union and Ukraine.

The rally participants reiterated their unchanged demands: the release of political prisoners and the holding of new, transparent elections.

Today, the court released fourteen defendants in the case of the storming of the presidential palace in Tbilisi in exchange for guilty pleas. The court hearings were held in two stages and were heard by Judges Nino Tarashvili and Dmitry Jinjolia. All defendants received three-year suspended sentences, according to Pirveli TV.

Four demonstrators—Abo Naveriani, Anton Uper (wanted), Nana Sander, and Mariam Mekantsishvili—pled not guilty. Accordingly, they did not sign a plea bargain, so Judge Tamar Mchedlishvili will continue to hear the defendants' case, Interpressnews reports.

On October 4, 2025, the day of municipal elections, thousands of people gathered in central Tbilisi. After opera singer Paata Burchaladze declared that power in Georgia belongs to the people, clashes between protesters and security forces erupted near the presidential palace. Security forces used riot gear, while protesters used firecrackers. Six demonstrators and 21 security forces were hospitalized, and another 30 people received medical treatment on the spot. Police opened a criminal case in connection with calls to overthrow the government, an attack on police officers, and the storming of the palace. Five protest leaders - opera singer Paata Burchuladze, Secretary General of the Strategy Agmashenebeli party Paata Manjgaladze, former Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces, Colonel Lasha Beridze, as well as United National Movement activists Murtaz Zodelava and Irakli Nadiradze - were arrested on charges of organizing group violence, calling for the overthrow of the government, and attempting to seize the presidential palace.

The defendants in the case of the storming of the presidential palace, released from the courtroom today after signing a plea agreement, said that the fight continues.

After his release, Sergo Megrelishvili thanked everyone who supported him.

"I will express my gratitude to everyone who supported me, my family, my comrades, everyone. I greet the guys from prison in "Gldani. The fight continues," Megrelishvili said. Activist Giorgi Korkia emphasized that many people are unjustly imprisoned. He promised to visit the remaining prisoners in prison and expressed hope that everyone would be released soon.

"Many are unjustly imprisoned, may they all be released soon," Korkia said.

According to Giorgi Rurua, making a plea bargain is not difficult when you have a three-year-old child waiting for you outside.

"The emotions over these nine months have been indescribable, because, as we all know, it is difficult for those of us with families to be locked up within four walls, but I think we have endured everything courageously, and I wish freedom to all those who remain in prison, and I wish their families peace and God's mercy. My first feeling is the desire to go to the Patriarch's grave," Rurua said.

After the release of Lasha Ivanadze noted that the plea agreement was a step back for him, but the decision was not difficult because he intends to start a new fight.

"I am very excited now, I am with my children. I wish all prisoners freedom, a speedy release, and, above all, victory for Georgia," Ivanadze shared.

As a reminder, on June 9, eight defendants in the case of the storming of the Georgian presidential administration building on October 4 were released after reaching a plea bargain. They were sentenced to three years' probation in exchange for pleading guilty.

Protesters in Georgia have been demanding new parliamentary elections and the release of political prisoners since November 28, 2024. Security forces carried out violent dispersals of the protests, using tear gas and water cannons, and detained protesters. Thousands of people have been subject 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".

Translated automatically via Google translate from https://www.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/424005