Protesters in Tbilisi Marched from Parliament to Supreme Court — The Caucasian Knot

For the fifth consecutive day, police in Tbilisi prevented demonstrators from blocking Rustaveli Avenue near the Georgian Parliament, Orda.kz reports, citing The Caucasian Knot.

On November 9 — the 347th day of ongoing daily protests — a human chain of law enforcement officers stood in front of the parliament building, stopping activists from obstructing traffic.

On the 348th day of demonstrations, protesters again gathered outside the parliament but were unable to block the avenue. As on previous days, police formed a live corridor on both sides of the road.

The participants then marched from the Parliament building to the Supreme Court.

A police cordon once again guarded the roadway on Rustaveli Avenue. Protesters set off marching along other streets,
 wrote the Telegram channel Tbilisi_life.

After reaching the Supreme Court, protesters returned to the Parliament. They announced that the rallies would continue until their demands were met — the release of all political prisoners and new parliamentary elections.

Meanwhile, Tbilisi City Hall decided this year to install the main New Year tree on Republic Square rather than in front of Parliament, as in previous years. Protesters saw this as “a sign of fear and concession” from the ruling Georgian Dream party, according to Pirveli TV.

In late October, the Georgian Parliament fast-tracked and approved in three readings a series of legislative amendments tightening penalties for violations during protests. For example, wearing a mask at a rally or blocking roads is punishable by up to 15 days of arrest.

Repeat violations are now considered criminal offenses.

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