21:55, 1 August 2025

Protesters in Tbilisi and Batumi demand release of political prisoners

Activists at the courthouse in Batumi. Still from JAMnews video.

Activists in Batumi gathered today at the court where the trial of Mzia Amaglobeli is ending, and protesters in Tbilisi blocked traffic on Rustaveli Avenue for the 247th day in a row.

As "Kavkazsky Uzel" wrote, on July 30, on the 245th day of continuous protests, protesters at the Georgian parliament demanded to resume the course towards European integration. On July 31, protests continued against the backdrop of the "Georgian Dream" event in Mtatsminda Park, where it was announced the nomination of Kakha Kaladze for mayor of Tbilisi for a third term.

Since November 28, 2024, protesters in Tbilisi have been holding daily rallies outside the Georgian Parliament and blocking traffic along Rustaveli Avenue, demanding the release of all arrested supporters of European integration and the appointment of new parliamentary elections.

Supporters of Georgia's European integration traditionally blocked Rustaveli Avenue near the parliament building this evening; continuous protests at this location have been going on for the 247th day in a row. Protesters have been making constant demands, including the release of all political prisoners, NEWS.On.ge reports.

In Batumi, where the final hearing on the case of the founder of "Netgazeti" and "Batumelebi" Mzia Amaglobeli was held today, activists gathered outside the city court: it was expected that the court could sentence the journalist today, but it was decided to postpone it until August 4, Publika reports.

Activists from Tbilisi also came to Batumi for the final hearing on the Amaglobeli case; early in the morning, transport was organized for them from Republic Square, Tbilisi_life writes. The fifth president of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, also came to Batumi to support Amaglobeli.

A rally in support of Mzia Amaglobeli was also held today in Berlin, organized by Georgian emigrants near the Georgian embassy building.

Mzia Amaglobeli faces up to seven years in prison on charges of attacking the Batumi police chief Irakli Dgebuadze, whom the journalist slapped. At the court hearing on July 14, she explained that before that, the security officer subjected her to inhuman treatment in the police station: according to Amaglobeli, the slap was "an impulsive reaction to humiliating treatment", although she does not regret what she did. Details of the case are provided in the "Caucasian Knot" reference "The Mzia Amaglobeli Case: Circumstances of the Arrest and the Campaign in Defense of the Journalist".

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Translated automatically via Google translate from https://www.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/413494