Protesters in Georgia announce rallies in defense of visa-free travel

Supporters of Georgia's European integration blocked Rustaveli Avenue near the parliament building for the 271st day in a row, demanding the release of political prisoners. This demand is also a condition of the European Commission for Georgia to maintain its visa liberalization regime.

As "Kavkazsky Uzel" wrote, on August 24, the 270th day of pro-European protests, a march was held in Tbilisi to mark Ukraine's Independence Day, its participants joined the traditional rally at the Georgian Parliament

Protesters in Tbilisi blocked Rustaveli Avenue again today - this is the 271st day of continuous protests, during which activists demand the release of political prisoners and new parliamentary elections, Publika reports.

The fifth President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, today called the celebration of Constitution Day, which the Georgian Dream party organized on August 24, “shameful.” “The celebration of Constitution Day should not be just a formal ritual. No one can celebrate what has already fallen apart under their feet (...) Yesterday we did not have anything pleasant or festive. But we have something to protect and save,” NEWS.On.ge quotes her as saying.

Supporters of Georgia's European integration also announced a mass rally in defense of the visa-free regime on September 13. On August 31, the European Union must present a report on the Georgian authorities' compliance with four demands put forward to maintain the visa-free regime.

"In order for the Georgian people not to be deprived of the visa-free regime, the Georgian Dream had to fulfill four simple recommendations: release political prisoners, stop repression, repeal repressive laws and soften the political climate. The opposition claims that Ivanishvili's party has not fulfilled any of the demands," Pirveli TV reports.

The founder of the Dafioni student movement, political prisoner Zviad Tsetskhladze today addressed the EU Ambassador to Georgia Pavel Gerchinsky with a request to convince European leaders not to cancel visa liberalization for Georgia and not to exclude the country from the Council of Europe. O called on the diplomat to “remind European leaders of the merits of Georgian citizens, especially youth and women, in supporting the European idea,” Tbilisi_life writes.

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