On 7 February, a traditional Saturday protest march took place in Tbilisi, with participants demanding that the authorities release political prisoners.
Around 120 people are currently in prison in Georgia on criminal charges after being arrested during protest rallies.
For more than a year, since November 2024, continuous protests have taken place in Georgia. Participants gather every evening both in the capital and in several other cities.
During this period, police detained dozens of people at protest rallies. Authorities brought criminal charges against many of them and sentenced some to prison terms. For the first time in the history of independent Georgia, the country now counts up to 150 prisoners of conscience, including women. Among them is Mzia Amaglobeli, the founder of the popular outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti. A court sentenced her to two years in prison after she slapped a police officer.
Protest participants demand the release of all political prisoners. They also call for new parliamentary elections, as they do not recognise the results of the 2024 vote. In addition, they want the authorities to repeal all anti-democratic laws adopted over the past two years.
The ruling Georgian Dream party has increasingly tightened repression against civil society and the media in an attempt to suppress the protests. Despite this, demonstrations in various forms continue to this day.
March in support of political prisoners in Georgia
