Protesters in Tbilisi are outraged by the verdict against Giorgi Chakhunashvili.

Doctors joined a protest outside the Georgian parliament on the 569th day of continuous protests, condemning the harsh sentence handed down to pediatrician Professor Giorgi Chakhunashvili. Along with Chakhunashvili, five other people were sentenced to lengthy prison terms in connection with the storming of the Georgian presidential administration building on October 4.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot," on June 18, the 568th day of continuous protests, activists in Tbilisi demanded the release of political prisoners. Many of the participants in the rally on Rustaveli Avenue dedicated their posters to Droa Party leader Elena Khoshtaria.

The Tbilisi City Court today announced the verdict in the case of the October 4 events, sentencing all six defendants – Giorgi Chakhunashvili, Ia Darakhvelidze, Konstantin Kokaia, Kakhaber Mzhavanadze, David Sturua, David Zhgenti, and Zakro Albutashvili – to five years in prison. 72-year-old pediatrician and academician Giorgi Chakhunashvili was arrested right in the courtroom; he was free on bail pending the verdict.

Also on bail was artist and musician Ia Darakhvelidze. "She wasn't present at the sentencing; she'll likely be arrested soon," Tbilisi Life reports.

After the verdict was announced, Chakhunashvili's colleagues protested outside the parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue, where supporters of European integration hold daily meetings. "The doctor's relatives stated that they are planning new protests and are counting on broad support from the medical community," reports the Georgia 24 Telegram channel.

Protesters came out to parliament with posters: "Freedom for the regime's prisoners," "Silence about injustice is complicity," "Russia is an occupier," "Regime servants, prepare for the dock," "They're catching innocent people, we won't get used to it," and "If we don't stop, we might be caught; if we stop, we'll definitely be caught," according to a post by photographer Giorgi Mosiashvili (Mo Se) on Facebook*.

Two posters were dedicated directly to Giorgi Chakhunashvili's sentence and appealed to representatives of the Georgian Dream party: "Kots, when your child gets sick, who will you go to?" and "The Kotsov gang 1 has now reached the doctors."

According to a video published on Facebook* by Giorgi Mumladze, at least 200 people participated in the rally on Rustaveli Avenue. Many of Chakhunashvili's colleagues attended the rally in white medical gowns. During the rain, protesters sheltered under umbrellas.

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 subjected to administrative prosecution during the protests. The "Caucasian Knot" has prepared a report "The Main Thing About the Persecution of Protest Participants in Georgia".