Pro-European protests in Tbilisi have continued for 490 days.

For the 490th consecutive day, supporters of Georgia's European integration protested outside the parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue. A court sentenced two protesters to one year in prison on charges of group violence.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," on March 31, the 489th day of continuous protests in Tbilisi, activists organized a solidarity march on the anniversary of the referendum on the restoration of Georgia's independence.

Protesters gathered today on the pedestrian section of Rustaveli Avenue near the parliament building with flags of Georgia, the European Union, and the United States. Some participants in the ongoing protests held signs reading, "For this government, every day is April Fools' Day," "Justice has its own hands," and "What awaits university applicants?!", according to posts by photographer Mo Se and Georgian media outlets on Facebook*.

Today, Judge Elene Goguadze sentenced Tornike Toshkhua and Mindia Shervashidze to one year in prison. Before announcing the verdict, the judge noted that the defendants had pleaded not guilty, Pirveli TV reported.

The defendants greeted the court's verdict with jubilant cries. Toshkhua and Shervashidze have been in custody for seven months and 16 days – they participated in a pro-European rally and were arrested in connection with the case based on the former football player's testimony.

According to the defense, the court confirmed that the instigator of the provocation was the victim, Beka Gotsiridze, and that the defendants acted within the bounds of necessary compulsion. However, when rendering its decision, the court did not consider the evidence presented in the case or the witness's testimony. The victim himself stated at the hearing that he felt no pain and made no claims against the defendants.

Based on the verdict, Tornike Toshkhua and Mindia Shervashidze will serve their sentences in approximately five months, the television company clarified.

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 were subjected to administrative prosecution during the protests. The "Caucasian Knot" has prepared a report "Key Points on the Persecution of Protesters in Georgia".