Georgia Rustaveli Protest Marks 200th Consecutive Day
By Liza Mchedlidze
Monday, June 16, 2025
On June 15, Georgia marked the 200th consecutive day of nationwide protests against the ruling Georgian Dream party, with demonstrators once again flooding Tbilisi's Rustaveli Avenue and gathering in several regional cities. Protesters called for the resignation of the government, the release of political prisoners, and a rerun of the October 2024 parliamentary elections, which they consider illegitimate.
In Tbilisi, protestors assembled in two key locations - one group near the government administration building and another marching from Republic Square to Parliament. Demonstrations also took place in Batumi, Gori, Kutaisi, Telavi, Zugdidi, Akhaltsikhe, and Chkhorotsku. Despite ongoing repression, the turnout showed no signs of waning.
Georgian Dream's response has grown increasingly punitive in recent weeks. Activists, opposition members, and journalists have faced detentions and fines under newly passed laws criminalizing "insults" toward officials and the blocking of roads. On June 14, activist Aleksandre Samkharadze was sentenced to 14 days in detention for shouting protest slogans near a ruling party MP. Journalists including Ekaterine Mishveladze and Dea Mamiseishvili have been fined thousands of lari for social media posts and banners deemed insulting. Earlier this week, protester Mate Devidze was sentenced to 4.5 years in prison for allegedly assaulting police during a demonstration. His case sparked renewed outrage, with his sister Elene Devidze addressing a mass rally demanding his release.
Despite the growing pressure, grassroots efforts have intensified. In Tbilisi's districts of Varketili and Sanzona, local protest walks were held in the days leading up to the 200th day. Participants distributed protest literature, including printed letters from imprisoned activists, and encouraged continued resistance. In Telavi, protestors marched specifically in support of Mate Devidze, signaling growing solidarity between the capital and the regions.
The government's broadening use of legal tools to suppress dissent has drawn criticism from local civil society groups and international observers. Critics argue that the laws being used to detain and fine protesters are politically motivated and aimed at silencing opposition. However, the government maintains it is acting within the law to preserve order.
As the protest movement enters its seventh month, its demands remain unchanged: the resignation of the Georgian Dream-led government, the release of those they consider political prisoners, and new parliamentary elections. Despite arrests and escalating legal pressure, the momentum behind the demonstrations remains strong. The next steps for both the government and the protest movement are uncertain, but what is clear is that Georgia's political crisis is far from over.
