Pro-European protests in Tbilisi have continued for 573 days.

Protesters outside the Georgian Parliament on the 573rd day of protests responded to the ECHR ruling in the joint case of Georgian servicemen who were tortured and killed in Russian captivity.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," on June 22, the 572nd day of continuous protests, protesters outside the Georgian Parliament demanded the release of Zviad Tsetskhladze, Mzia Amaglobeli, and all other political prisoners.

Supporters of Georgia's European integration took to the pedestrian area of ​​Rustaveli Avenue in front of the Georgian Parliament this evening for the 573rd consecutive day. Activists held national and EU flags, and some also carried US and Ukrainian flags. According to a video posted on social media by Tamar Bartaia, over 100 people participated in the gathering.

Protesters reiterated their unwavering demand for the release of political prisoners. Demonstrators held posters reading "Free Mzia" and "Free Elene," dedicated to Mzia Amaglobeli and Elene Khoshtaria, respectively.

A poster also featured at the protest demanding punishment for police officers guilty of violence against detainees, according to photographs published on the Facebook page* of photographer Giorgi Mosiashvili (Mo Se).

One poster recalled the reason for the mass protests outside the Georgian parliament in June 2019: "It's better to stand on the sidewalk than to be a member of the Russian parliament." The protesters also responded to the ECHR ruling in the case of the violation of the rights of Georgian prisoners of war captured by Russian troops in 2008 - one of the posters read, "Antsukhelidze defeated Russia once again."

Giorgi Antsukhelidze is one of the most famous participants in the Five-Day War, and was posthumously awarded the title of National Hero of Georgia. Antsukhelidze was missing in action for almost five months; his body was only identified through DNA testing on December 12, 2008. In January 2009, two videos of the beating and torture of a Georgian soldier were circulated online; Antsukhelidze's family identified him as Giorgi. In one of the images, Antsukhelidze is kneeling with his hands bound, his face covered in blood, and he can barely hold his head up. Several men in military uniform, guns pointed at the captive, are trampling his neck and pushing his face into the ground, according to the human rights report "August Ruins."

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 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 Protesters in Georgia".