Relatives of political prisoners announce 24-hour protest in Tbilisi

Families of oppositionists arrested in connection with participation in pro-European protest actions have united in a public movement to demand the release of prisoners of conscience. The activists plan to start a 24-hour protest action in front of the parliament building in Tbilisi.

Participants in the pro-European protest actions block Rustaveli Avenue near the Georgian parliament building every day since November 28, 2024. The protestors demand to hold new parliamentary elections and to release political prisoners. During the protest actions, more than a thousand people were subjected to administrative prosecution, and 64 people were charged under criminal articles.

Organizers of the movement by relatives of political prisoners have announced that they are going to start the protest action on April 8, to gather in front of the parliament building and not leave the place even at night. If their demands are not met, the activists are ready to resort to civil disobedience actions that will “create discomfort for government officials. In particular, the activists intend to block government agencies and motor ways, the “Pirveli” TV Channel reports.

“They were arrested only because they peacefully protested against the unlawful actions of the authorities, the falsification of the parliamentary elections, the trampling of democratic principles, and the rejection of the country’s pro-Western course. Their detention is part of political repression,” the “Georgia Online” quotes the statement voiced by the activists of the movement by relatives of political prisoners.

The relatives of the political prisoners addressed various social groups of the protesters. The appeal to businesses contained a call “not to enrich corrupt officials,” and the appeal to the Georgian Patriarchate – to help resolve the conflict, the “Formula” TV Channel reports.