Protesters in Georgia question the possibility of fair court decisions.
On the 368th day of daily protests, activists gathered outside the Georgian Parliament and then marched to Freedom Square. During the protest, they demanded new elections and the release of political prisoners, whose sentences they consider unfair. Several activists appealed the ban on wearing masks at protests to the Constitutional Court.
As reported by the Caucasian Knot, over the past week, police have repeatedly detained participants in daily protest marches in Tbilisi. On November 26 and 27, protesters gathered for evening rallies outside the Parliament building but did not hold marches, preparing for a large-scale rally to mark the anniversary of Georgian Dream's rejection of European integration. On November 28, protesters in Tbilisi held two mass marches and, for the first time in three weeks, blocked Rustaveli Avenue near the Parliament building. On the anniversary of the start of the ongoing protests, supporters of Georgia's European integration took to the streets in other cities across the country. On November 29, a number of activists gathered outside the parliament building; no marches took place.
On November 28, 2024, the European Parliament refused to recognize the results of the parliamentary elections in Georgia and called for sanctions against the leaders of the Georgian Dream party. That same day, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that Georgia would withdraw from EU accession negotiations by the end of 2028. Following this announcement, daily protests began across the country demanding new parliamentary elections and the release of all those detained for participating in the demonstrations. Demonstrators blocked traffic on Rustaveli Avenue for 343 consecutive days. Since November 6, security forces have prevented activists from blocking traffic, placing a human wall of police officers along the roadway. Protesters were detained for attempting to enter the road. From then until November 26, supporters of European integration held daily marches through central Tbilisi, taking different routes.
Supporters of European integration gathered today, the 368th day of daily protests, for another rally outside the Georgian parliament. They are demanding new, fair elections in the country and the release of those detained during the protests. The protesters brought with them flags of Georgia and the European Union, as well as banners with the slogan: "There will be no justice, no peace."
Law enforcement officers are on duty on the opposite side of the parliament building and in the adjacent area.
Police called on protesters not to cross the road and not to obstruct traffic, Interpressnews reports.
During the protest near the parliament, police also prohibited protesters from standing on flowerbeds, claiming that they would damage the lawn (which was covered with pebbles, like decorative crushed stone), Tbilisi Life reports.
Afterwards, the protesters marched to Freedom Square.
This afternoon, a protest against the Eagle Hills project in Georgia was held near the Rustaveli metro station. They believe that they will not allow the alienation of Georgian lands. lands.
Protesters said they do not believe the government's claims that the agreement signed with the Arab company will contribute to the country's economic prosperity.
Protesters voted for a declaration demanding the disclosure of the terms of the agreement signed with the Arab company and the initiation of a public discussion of the issue. They declare that they will always oppose the alienation of Georgian lands, InterPressNews reports.
The $6.6 billion investment agreement was signed in October by Georgian Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili and Mohamed Alabbar, founder of Eagle Hills (affiliated with the UAE-based developer Emaar Group). The agreement also includes the creation of a joint company to build large-scale infrastructure in Tbilisi and the Black Sea resort of Gonio. The opposition has spoken out against this project.
Parents of political prisoners and politician Teon Chalidze distributed a new issue of the newspaper in Dmanisi today, which contains the final words of those convicted for participating in protests.
Opposition activists have filed a lawsuit with the Constitutional Court of Georgia. According to them, new legislation restricting the wearing of masks and imposing harsher penalties for blocking roads violates constitutionally guaranteed rights: the inviolability of dignity and freedom of assembly, writes Paper Kartuli.
Activists pointed out that disproportionate penalties unreasonably restrict the right to peaceful protest, and the wording of the controversial Code of Administrative Offenses provisions—"artificially blocking a road" and "concealing the face"—is vague and open to interpretation in violation of the Constitution.
In November and December 2024, security forces violently dispersed protests, using tear gas and water cannons. Over a thousand people were 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".
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Translated automatically via Google translate from https://www.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/417669