“Whoever stands against the people will not go unpunished” | Video podcast "Protests in Georgia", day 661
Protest marches in Tbilisi, video
Day 661 of Georgia’s pro-European protests. Another “Saturday march” took place through central Tbilisi on 19 September. Participants again said that “Georgia stands against oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili” [founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party, he is described by many in Georgia and abroad as the country’s de facto ruler — JAMnews].
“The enemy of his own people will not go unpunished!” hundreds of people taking part in the march chanted.
The weekly “Saturday march” has now been held for the 40th time.
For more than a year and half – since November 2024 – continuous protests have been taking place in Georgia, with demonstrators demanding that the country return to the path of European integration. The results of the parliamentary elections held in autumn 2024 are still not recognised by part of Georgian society.
Every evening thousands, and often tens of thousands, gather in Tbilisi and several other cities. Over this time dozens of participants have been detained, many have faced criminal charges, and some have been sentenced to prison terms.
For the first time in the history of independent Georgia, the country has up to 150 prisoners of conscience, including women. Among them is Mzia Amaglobeli, founder of the popular outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti.
In 2025 she was sentenced to two years in prison for slapping a police officer. Protesters demand the release of all political prisoners and the repeal of all anti-democratic laws adopted over the past two years.
To suppress the protests, the ruling Georgian Dream party has increasingly tightened repression against civil society and the media. However, protests in various forms continue.
News in Georgia
