Hunger strikers outside the Georgian parliament have called for increased protests.

Eight opposition members are continuing their hunger strike outside the Georgian parliament for the 18th day. They believe that protests demanding the release of political prisoners and new parliamentary elections should consolidate around the hunger strikers.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," on November 2, another woman joined the hunger strike conducted by opposition politicians outside the Georgian parliament, bringing the number of participants to six. On November 4, two more people joined the hunger strike, which the opposition is conducting in protest against the persecution of demonstrators, bringing the total number of participants to eight. On November 6, the hunger strikers required medical attention. On the 16th day of the protest, one of the hunger strikers was hospitalized, but returned to the protests.

The hunger strike outside the Parliament building continues for the eighteenth day. The demand of the eight protesters remains unchanged: the release of political prisoners and the holding of new, fair elections, TV Pirveli reported today.

"Currently, eight people are on hunger strike, and everyone's general condition is normal. We are calling an ambulance and checking our health to ensure our stability," said one of the hunger strikers, Gedevan Popkhadze.

The hunger strikers stated that the situation in the country is unbearable, and Georgia is heading toward isolation, Interpressnews reports.

Gedevan Popkhadze believes that at this stage, something should be said through actions, not arguments. "The situation in the country is unbearable; it is moving toward isolation and a Russian dictatorship. Prisons are overcrowded with political prisoners, and protests had to be appropriate. A hunger strike is a form of protest used by the national liberation movement against the Soviet empire. Therefore, this method is still effective today," he said.

"We constantly call on everyone to further intensify this protest by expressing solidarity with those on hunger strike, holding 24-hour meetings, and discussing what the Georgian people must do to strengthen this protest. Therefore, I believe the hunger strike must continue," Popkhadze added.

"We must step out of our comfort zone and stop thinking about coexistence with the regime. We call on our international partners to provide maximum support for the Georgian people's struggle for independence, freedom, democracy, and membership in the European family," the publication quotes him as saying.

In mid-October, the Georgian parliament adopted amendments to the law that href="https://www.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/416378">penalties for violations during protests have been tightened. The Georgian Dream party's authors explained that the law is aimed at those who regularly block Rustaveli Avenue. Now, appearing at a rally wearing a mask or blocking the road is punishable by administrative arrest for up to 15 days. Refusal to end a rally at the request of the police carries a prison sentence of up to 60 days. The Criminal Code now provides for up to one year in prison for repeated violations of the rules for participating in protests and up to two years for subsequent violations.

Following the adoption of the amendments to the laws, security forces began mass arrests of protesters on Rustaveli Avenue. Most of them are accused of blocking the avenue and obstructing traffic.

Key points on the persecution of protesters in Georgia

Protesters in Georgia have been demanding new parliamentary elections and the release of political prisoners since November 28, 2024. They have been holding daily protests on Rustaveli Avenue. Security forces violently dispersed the protests, using tear gas and water cannons, and detained protesters. More than a thousand people were subjected to administrative prosecution.