Tbilisi protesters demand release of political prisoners

In Tbilisi, representatives of the New Theatre, whose actor Andro Chichinadze was arrested within a case of organizing violence during protests, have demanded to release all the "regime inmates”; they have also announced protest actions in country regions.

The New Theatre named after Vaso Abashidze has cancelled performances featuring Andro Chichinadze and demanded to release the actor. On January 10, near the Tbilisi City Court, protesters spoke out in support of those arrested within the case of violence during street protests. On the same day, the court extended the arrest of 11 people, including Chichinadze.

According to the "News Georgia" Agency, the Vaso Abashidze New Theatre has demanded to release by January 20 all the "regime inmates" detained at protests and charged under criminal articles; now, there are more than 50 such persons; and when the ultimatum expired, the theatre troupe began gathering supporters for a protest rally. Many art figures have responded to the call, including actors from other theatres.

David Doliashvili, the Artistic Director of the New Theatre, has warned that his theatre’s protest would not be limited to Tbilisi. "The New Theatre is departing to regions – we’ll go everywhere and talk to everyone; you will see what a theatre can do," the “Interpressnews” quotes him as saying.