События

Georgia’s Interior Ministry has announced the arrest of five more individuals in connection with the 4 October anti-government protest in Tbilisi, bringing the official number of detainees in the case to 23

Police in Tbilisi have ordered protesters to clear the city’s central Rustaveli Avenue, after the prime minister threatened to take a ‘methodical approach’ to ending the daily demonstrations blocking the road. After protesters refused, police withdrew

On the 314th day of continuous protests, Rustaveli remains blocked. No police are on the scene. Unlike before, the Ministry of Internal Affairs hasn’t cordoned off the road

Police appeared on Rustaveli twice, calling on citizens to open the road. However, the protesters refused to comply

Police tries to reopen the closed Rustaveli Avenue. Earlier, bottles were thrown at protesters from a passing truck

PM Kobakhidze threatens the daily Rustaveli protesters.The Georgian Dream Prime Minister said that there would be "zero empathy." "Let them wait for our methodical and systematic steps. Of course, we will not give anyone, especially 100 or 150 people, the opportunity to commit violence against 4 million people. Of course, we will not allow this. When 100 shameless foreign agents come out and commit violence against 4 million people, their economy, their national interests, of course, we cannot allow this under any circumstances.

The Georgian Interior Ministry has continued detaining individuals in connection with the 4 October anti-government demonstration in Tbilisi

Kobakhidze on GeorgiaProtests: “Expect our methodical, systematic steps. We have no empathy for these people.”

In a wide-ranging TV interview, GD PM Irakli Kobakhidze said people protesting on Tbilisi's Rustaveli Avenue for 300 days are "in their majority paid [foreign] agents." And even if some of them are "simply stupid," this stupidity would also be punished by the state

The MIA reports that 13 more people have been arrested in connection with the October 4 mass rally. According to the statement, 15 individuals have been identified so far, and the search continues for two others

МВД Грузии задержало 13 участников беспорядков в Тбилиси, заявил глава ведомства

PM Kobakhidze states that a massive operation is currently underway to detain "lots" of people who participated in the October 4 rally

The EU [Kaja Kallas and Marta Kos] has issued a statement calling on the Georgian government to uphold rights to freedom of assembly and expression following Saturday’s controversial local elections

Despite the threats, people still blocked the Rustaveli Avenue

The MIA of Georgia states that all protest gatherings "taking place today or afterward will be considered a continuation of the events that occurred on Oct. 4". Therefore, the gov't will "take appropriate measures to ensure that public order and security are not threatened"

В Грузии в большом количестве изъяты оружие и взрывчатка, предназначавшиеся для диверсии 4 октября — служба госбезопасности Грузии

Despite the MIA’s threats that any protest held today or in the coming days will be treated as a continuation of the “attempted coup,” Georgians remain determined to block Rustaveli Avenue — just as they have for the past 311 days

Georgian PM vows crackdown on opposition after protests, accuses EU of meddling

After last night’s clashes PM Kobakhidze threatened “harsh consequences for a lot of people”, saying authorities are now better equipped to ID suspects than last year. “So, a lot of people should wait for their punishment.” All five organizers were arrested

Georgia, 97.95% of precincts counted:Note: Election boycotted by opposition parties Unity (EPP RE), CfC (RE), FP (→S&D), FS (*) and F (*). Tbilisi mayoral election. Kaladze (GD~NI): 71.56% ( 31.2) Kupradze (SG-RE): 12.46% ( 3.6) .

Situation at Atoneli Street, near the Orbeliani Presidential Palace: clashes periodically intensify between special forces and gathered protesters.A larger group of demonstrators remains on Rustaveli Avenue

Many protesters remain on a large section of Tbilisi's Rustaveli Avenue parallel to tensions some three hundred meters away. Nini Gabritchidze/Civil.ge

Some protesters are on Pkhovi Street, Tbilisi, while special forces are mobilized on Purtseladze Street periodically using water cannons and tear gas

As the protest continues in Tbilisi, official results are coming in. In the Tbilisi mayoral election, where 93% of votes have been counted, incumbent Kakha Kaladze is leading with 72%

Rustaveli Avenue right now, Georgians protesting the local elections as well steps that the government has been taking in response of the continued protest, including arrests and long sentences for the activists and demonstrations

Police are dispersing protesters in the streets surrounding the presidential palace in Tbilisi. Demonstrators are also gathered outside parliament, and some groups are moving toward the Georgian Dream headquarters

Clashes continue on some side streets, while the Rustaveli Avenue is full of people, apparetly waiting for an assault

Riot police are using tear gas en masse against protesters on Atoneli Street near the presidential palace

Georgian police fire tear gas as protesters try to enter presidential palace

Protesters in Georgia have failed to storm the presidential palace, and riot police are now moving in with water cannons to disperse them. Clashes are now ongoing with police