23:52, 17 March 2026

Protesters on Rustaveli Avenue refused to recognize the Georgian Dream party.

On the 475th day of continuous protests, participants in a rally on Rustaveli Avenue unfurled a banner with the slogan "We Do Not Recognize" outside the parliament building.

As the "Caucasian Knot" reported, on March 16, on the 474th day of continuous protests, participants in a rally on Rustaveli Avenue reminded representatives of the Georgian Dream party of the conclusions of the OSCE Moscow Mechanism report.

On March 5, amendments criminalizing non-recognition of government bodies and "extremism against the constitutional order" came into force. The extremism article provides for up to three years in prison, a fine, or correctional labor for systematic public calls to violate the law, disobey authorities, or create alternative government bodies. Furthermore, the law now includes a new aggravating circumstance: if the crime is committed for reasons of non-recognition of the constitutional order or authorities, one year of imprisonment is added to the sentence. This same motive is also considered as an aggravating circumstance in administrative offense cases.

Supporters of Georgia's European integration gathered today on the pedestrian section of Rustaveli Avenue near the parliament building with protest banners and placards for the 475th evening protest. Activists brought Georgian and EU flags.

A group of protesters unfurled a long banner reading "We Do Not Recognize" outside the parliament building. Activists also held posters reading, "Rise up, Georgia, put an end to the 'kotsy' (members of the Georgian Dream - Caucasian Knot), "Corruption has gnawed the country to the bone," "Not the regime that lasted nine years, but this one that has lasted 14 years," and "Freedom for Mindia Shervashidze," according to a post by photographer Mo Se on Facebook*.

Mindia Shervashidze is an activist who was detained on August 16 along with Tornike Toshkhua on charges of group violence. Immediately after his detention, Toshkhua went on a hunger strike. On September 8, Tornike Toshkhua ended his hunger strike, citing health reasons.

An activist was detained in Zugdidi today Shalva Esartia. Police officers, without explaining the reason for the arrest, dragged him into a car by force and then refused to allow a lawyer to see him. As a result, an ambulance was called to the detainee, Tbilisi Life reports, citing Zugdidi activist Mariam Sichinava.

Protesters in Georgia have been demanding new parliamentary elections and the release of political prisoners since November 28, 2024. Security forces violently dispersed the protests, using tear gas and water cannons, and detained protesters. Thousands of people were subjected to administrative prosecution during the protests. "Caucasian Knot" has prepared a report, "The Main Thing About the Persecution of Protesters in Georgia".

Translated automatically via Google translate from https://www.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/421698