We continue our live coverage of the fallout and widespread protests over Georgia’s EU accession U-turn.

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Georgians protest election mismanagement outside Frankfurt consulate

A group of Georgians have held a protest outside the Georgian consulate in Frankfurt today, criticising mismanagement of the elections, according to organiser Tamar Urushadze.

Protesters left messages condemning the consulate staff’s silence on election irregularities and placed potatoes near the entrance — a common symbol in Georgia representing bribes used to buy votes in impoverished regions.

Club scene joins Batumi protests as demonstrators slam courts and Kavelashvili

Once again, protesters gathered near the local government offices and the Constitutional Court in the city centre of Batumi, Georgia’s second-largest city, tonight.

A group of demonstrators protested what they described as politicised courts in front of the Constitutional Court by unfurling a banner saying ‘unjust court’ and also criticising the recent legislative changes rushed by the ruling party in the newly launched parliament.

Other demonstrators brought a medium-sized Christmas tree decorated with photos of protesters and journalists visibly injured during recent rallies. At the top of the tree was a caricatured, pig-like image of President-elect Mikheil Kavelashvili, alongside a card displaying the text of a police officer’s oath.

The protest was bolstered by members of the local club scene following their procession through Batumi. They remain on strike in protest of the government’s recent policies.

The Black Sea coastal city of Batumi has been a focal point of daily protests following Georgian Dream’s announcement of ‘halting’ the country’s EU membership bid.

Zugdidi residents protest Kavelashvili’s presidency with football, ‘red diplomas,’ and a march

Local residents of Zugdidi, in Georgia’s western region of Samegrelo, gathered outside the Governor’s Office for a consecutive day of protests, opposing Georgian Dream’s anti-EU turn, the recent detention of protesters, and the election of Mikheil Kavelashvili earlier today.

To mock Kavelashvili’s suitability for the presidency, some played football while others held ‘red diplomas’ — a nod to Soviet-era fake credentials and the president-elect’s lack of higher education.

Speaking to the regional TV channel Odishi, local teacher Miko Mikava said she tore up her diploma as an act of protest.

‘I don’t know what to tell my students when I go to school on Monday or how to motivate them — why should they study if, without any education, someone can become the highest-ranking official in the country?’, Mikava told Odishi.

‘With diploma or not, Kavelashvili is illegitimate’, a large banner placed in front of the Governor's Office said. 

Protest organisers also offered attendants a screen on which to broadcast opposition-leaning coverage of the nationwide protests. 

Rallygoers later held a protest march throughout the city.

Armenian PM congratulates President-elect Kalevashvili

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has joined Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Belrusian President Aliaksandr Lukashenka in congratulating Georgian President-elect Mikheil Kalevalshvili. 

I warmly congratulate Mikheil Kavelashvili on his election as President of Georgia.

Armenia looks forward to strengthening our strategic partnership and advancing cooperation across all levels. Wishing him every success in this vital role! 🇦🇲 🇬🇪

— Nikol Pashinyan (@NikolPashinyan) December 14, 2024

Lukashenka congratulates President-elect Kavelashvili

According to Belarusian media, citing the country’s press service, Belarusian President Aliaksandr Lukashenka has congratulated Georgian President-elect Kavelishvili, the second global leader after Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to do so. 

‘I am convinced that the resumption of fruitful and constructive co-operation between our countries will contribute to further strengthening of the bilateral relations between Belarus and Georgia. I wish you strong health, successful implementation of plans and new achievements for the benefit of your Fatherland’, Lukashenka’s statement read. 

Akhaltsikhe protesters brave snow to demand change

A group of local residents once again assembled in the centre of Akhaltsikhe, the administrative centre of the namesake southwestern Georgian municipality, battling the recent snowfall, to voice their opposition to the Georgian government’s recent anti-EU shift and incidents of police violence, and demand new elections and the release of all recently detained protesters. 

‘It is essential that we support our fellow citizens protesting in the capital, who are fighting for freedom under much tougher conditions!’ Rima Diasamidze was quoted as saying by the local news outlet Samkhretis Karebiche while protesting.

‘Whose children are they beating and treating as if they’re disposable?! It’s not just about the diploma, is it? This person should have stood out for something, shouldn’t he?’, local rallygoer Khatuna Kurtadze told the local news group Metskhre Arkhi, referring to President-elect Mikheil Kavelashvili and his silence on violence against protesters. 

Protest in Kutaisi

A small group of protesters gathered again this morning in the western city of Kutaisi, adding the election of ‘illegitimate president’ Mikheil Kavelashvili to their list of grievances.

‘Don’t torture,’ read a banner held by one of the rallygoers, referencing numerous reports of police violence against detainees during earlier protests in Georgia.

Imprisoned Nika Gvaramia: ‘Ivanishvili must leave Georgia!’, warns of New Year protest lull

Nika Gvaramia, a leader of the opposition Coalition for Change, has issued a statement from prison, where he is currently serving his 12th day of administrative arrest for disobeying police, asserting that ‘Ivanishvili must leave Georgia.’

'He can no longer remain here. Keeping such a threat in the country is akin to sitting on a powder keg’, Gvaramia stated. 

Gvaramia reaffirmed his and his group’s stance that, despite Georgian Dream declaring Mikheil Kavelashvili as President-elect, Salome Zourabichvili remains the ‘legitimate President of Georgia’ with the ‘only authority to speak on behalf of the country and its people.’

The opposition leader assured anti-government protesters that ‘international sanctions’ targeting Georgia’s leadership were on their way, but also cautioned them regarding the country’s tendency to ‘traditionally go into a two-week slumber’ over the New Year holidays, referring to street protest dynamics. 

Georgian Dream leaders urge supporters to disperse amid heavy police presence at parliament

After Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze announced the postponement of the Christmas tree lighting on Rustaveli Avenue, heavy police lines prevented ruling party supporters from accessing the planned event site in front of the parliament, where anti-government protesters were already gathered.

Several party leaders, including Georgian Dream’s Executive Secretary Mamuka Mdinaradze, briefly appeared on the site calling on their supporters to disband, frequently citing a possible ‘provocation’. 

Ivanishvili congratulates President-elect Kavelashvili

The ruling Georgian Dream party has released a letter from their founder and honorary chair Bidzina Ivanishvili congratulating President-elect Mikheil Kavelashvili on his victory in the uncontested elections held earlier today.

‘With Mikheil Kavelashvili’s inauguration, the artificial attempts at polarisation, division, and radicalisation in this country will come to an end once and for all’, Ivanishvili said in his congratulatory statement.

Ivanishvili, who personally presented Kavelashvili as a presidential candidate on 27 November, also expressed his confidence that ‘Mikheil Kavelashvili will be the president who restores this vital institution to its constitutional framework’ and would play ‘a key role in uniting our society and fostering peaceful coexistence’.

Zourabichvili reappears on Rustaveli Avenue

Minutes after Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze announced the ‘postponement’ of the Christmas tree lighting outside parliament — a daily gathering site for anti-government protests, including this evening — Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili appeared near the installation to greet and wave at the protesters.

She later addressed the protesters through a megaphone, wishing them a ‘peaceful evening’ and urging them to maintain a peaceful gathering.

‘The Christmas tree lighting will not take place this evening, and all of you should remain peaceful together […] We will not allow anyone in here, nor will we allow any provocation. I am with you, and you are in my heart’, she said. Her statement was met with cheers from the crowd.

Zourabichvili was previously spotted near the parliament building this morning — before Georgian Dream lawmakers elected their candidate, Mikheil Kavelashvili, as her successor — claiming she was merely passing by on her way to work.

Tbilisi Mayor postpones launching of Christmas tree

In a special statement, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze announced the ‘postponement’ of the Christmas tree lighting ceremony which was scheduled to take place at 19:00 in front of the parliament building in Tbilisi, citing ‘aggressive protesters’ present at the location of the planned event.

‘Yesterday, we also heard Zourabichvili’s statement regarding provocations, claiming that they were preparing to stage a provocation and would not allow children to enjoy the celebration’, Kaladze alleged.

‘The festive event will take place when the radical opposition stops obstructing children and allows them to enjoy the Christmas tree lighting’, he stated.

He added that ‘today is yet another confirmation that liberal fascism in Georgia must come to an end’. 

Before the announcement, the number of protesters near the parliament had increased, along with the presence of additional police units, many of them masked.

The Christmas tree lighting ceremony reportedly postponed pic.twitter.com/Ivfz03Ndnw

— Mariam Nikuradze (@mari_nikuradze) December 14, 2024

Aliyev congratulates President-elect Kavelashvili

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has congratulated Georgia’s President-elect Mikheil Kavelashvili, becoming the first, and so far the only, foreign leader to do so publicly.

‘I am confident that we will make joint efforts to further strengthen and expand our interstate relations and strategic partnership, ensuring the well-being of our countries and peoples, the stability and security of our region, and the realisation of its economic potential’, Aliyev wrote in his letter.

Rights groups deem Kavelashvili’s presidential election unconstitutional and illegitimate

Two major Georgia-based rights organisations, Transparency International — Georgia (TI Georgia) and the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), have issued separate statements challenging Mikheil Kavelashvili’s election today, claiming it violated Georgian legislation, including Georgia’s Constitution.

Both groups referred to Georgian Dream’s recent launching of the new parliament without awaiting the Constitutional Court’s ruling on the legitimacy of the 26 October parliamentary election results, a move they said invalidates any subsequent decisions, including the presidential election.

‘The President “elected” by the illegitimate Parliament is illegitimate too [...] [B]y electing the president in gross disregard of the Constitution and law, Bidzina Ivanishvili and his party drive the country into a deeper political crisis’, TI Georgia stated. 

High police presence, Parliament facade lit up ahead of Christmas tree lighting

Police presence has increased around the Georgian Parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue ahead of the planned Christmas tree lighting ceremony scheduled to begin soon. The parliament facade has been lit up with snowflakes as part of the ceremony. 

A lot of police moved forward. Protest is also here. Stage and tree still nehond barriers pic.twitter.com/tAH5vnL5rS

— Mariam Nikuradze (@mari_nikuradze) December 14, 2024

Lithuanian MEP: no real elections in Georgia today

Lithuanian MEP Rasa Juknevicienė, who was a part of the European Parliament delegation that visited Tbilisi on Thursday, has called the presidential election held today ‘a farce — just like in Russia, Belarus, and other autocracies’, while calling Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili the only ‘legitimate official in Georgia’. 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">There were no real elections in🇬🇪 today. What took place was a farce — just like in Russia, Belarus, and other autocracies.<br><br>The only legitimate official in Georgia is President <a href="https://twitter.com/Zourabichvili_S?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Zourabichvili_S</a>, elected as a result of free elections.<br><br>Ivanishvili continues the state capture. <a href="https://t.co/nl69iaJGDv">pic.twitter.com/nl69iaJGDv</a></p>&mdash; Rasa Juknevičienė (@RJukneviciene) <a href="https://twitter.com/RJukneviciene/status/1867918828040266054?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 14, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Kobakhidze: Georgia has not had a ‘patriotic and psychologically-balanced’ president in over 20 years

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has congratulated Mikheil Kavelashvili on being elected President of Georgia, noting that under his leadership ‘the institution of the president will return to its constitutional mission and regain its dignity’.

‘For more than 20 years, Georgia has not had a president who is both patriotic and psychologically balanced. In this regard, Mikheil Kavelashvili's presidency will be a turning point for our country’, Kobakhidze said, claiming that ‘external forces have used the president’s office precisely to divide society’ and to ‘artificially weaken our constitutional order’.

‘For this purpose, the constitution of Georgia was systematically violated using the president, and these external forces directly supported such actions’, Kobakhize claimed.

Hiking enthusiasts march through Tbilisi

A protest march by climbers and hikers, titled ‘Mountain for Freedom’ is occurring in Tbilisi in protest against recent government actions, including the presidential elections held earlier today.

'Mountain for Freedom'—a protest march by climbers and hikers—is being held to oppose GD politics. #GeorgiaProtests #TerrorinGeorgia pic.twitter.com/i9DVsrYm8W

— PUBLIKA (@Publika_ge) December 14, 2024

LI-ALDE ‘disappointed and concerned’ about Georgia’s presidential election 

The Bureaus of the Liberal International (LI) and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) Party have issued a joint statement noting that they are ‘deeply disappointed and concerned about the “election” of the new President today’. 

Highlighting that the election did not include any of the opposition parties, the groups stated that they did not believe the election ‘truly reflects the wishes of the Georgian people’, and therefore will continue to recognise ‘the legitimately-elected President Salome Zourabichvili and her achievements’.

The statement ended with a call to other countries to ‘duplicate and expand sanctions already imposed by the USA, Ukraine, and those anticipated from the EU against politicians involved in the adoption in the ‘foreign agents Russian Law’ and anti-democratic practices’.

Papuashvili wishes Kavelashvili the loyalty of Georgian people and of the Georgian state

Speaker of the Georgian Parliament Shalva Papuashvili has congratulated Mikheil Kavelashvili on his recent election as Georgia’s sixth president.

Writing on Facebook, Papuashvili called today a ‘historical day in Georgia’, emphasising that the Georgian Constitution was fully implemented.

He noted that the primary mission for a new president is to ‘create a precedent for acting within the constitutional jurisdiction of the Presidential Institute’, alleging that Georgian politics ‘is full of adventurist politicians, who are ready to go out of the constitutional framework every time to realise their narrow political goals, behind which an invisible hand is hiding’. 

He finished his statement by wishing Kavelashvili in his presidency ‘the loyalty of the Georgian people and of the Georgian state’, stating that ‘this is the only faultless way for any government’. 

Estonian MP: Zourabichvili ‘only legitimate President’

Following the election of Mikheil Kavelashvili as Georgia’s sixth president earlier today, the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Estonian Parliament, Marko Mihkelson, posted on X that Georgian President Salome Zourabichili remains the ‘only legitimate President of Georgia’

The only legitimate President of Georgia 🇬🇪 is @Zourabichvili_S.

— Marko Mihkelson (@markomihkelson) December 14, 2024

Zourabichvili meets with mothers protesting outside Orbeliani Palace

Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili came out of Orbeliani Palace, the presidential seat, to meet with mothers protesting against the government’s violent repression of demonstrators.

⭕️@Zourabichvili_S greeted the mothers' protest march, who said, "You are our only President, Salome, we are with you - they may fear the mothers!" She smiled, replying, "They may fear," and praised the youth for protecting 🇬🇪, urging mothers to stand with them.#GeorgiaProtests pic.twitter.com/OcZcSIUQie

— Netgazeti (@netgazeti) December 14, 2024

The group of mothers demonstrated outside the Georgian Parliament building earlier today while the presidential elections were being held.

Graphic designers march to Parliament

Graphic designers have marched in protest against the government’s EU u-turn, joining the main demonstration on Rustaveli Avenue in front of the Georgian Parliament building. 

December 14 - #Tbilisi

"We demand new elections!" — Graphic designers march in protest, heading to join the main demonstration on Rustaveli Avenue. #GeorgiaProtests pic.twitter.com/lpStaeyEuE

— Netgazeti (@netgazeti) December 14, 2024

Droa party reports one of their members detained

The opposition party Droa, a member of the broader Coalition for Change, have reported that authorities have detained one of their members, Niko Kvatsabaia.

According to Droa, the Interior Ministry has not informed them of his whereabouts or the charges against him.

Zourabichvili slams ‘jailed’ Christmas tree as a symbol of a police state

Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has voiced her disapproval of Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze’s planned Christmas tree unveiling on the X platform, calling it a ‘major provocation’ by the ruling party aimed at inciting confrontation.

Sharing an image of the newly installed Christmas tree outside the parliament, surrounded by fences and guarded by masked police officers, Zourabichvili criticised the Kaladze for inviting children to celebrate at a location at 19:00 today that has, in recent days, become a regular gathering spot for evening protests.

In another update on the same platform, Zourabichvili described the 'jailed' Christmas tree as the ‘symbol of the police state which Georgian Dream is trying to turn Georgia into’.

Jailed Christmas tree in front of the Parliament, Mayor inviting children, government calling supporters at 7 pm to light the tree - at the exact place and time, when protesters meet every day for 17 days ! BIG TIME PROVOCATION FROM THE RULING PARTY TO CREATE CONFRONTATION !!!! pic.twitter.com/M844gIajFa

— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) December 14, 2024

Several public health experts have cautioned parents against bringing their children to the event, citing potential toxins that may still linger at the site where riot police used irritants against protesters. 

The Health Ministry has remained silent on both the specifics of the chemicals deployed by law enforcement and the safety of the event. 

Mikheil Kavelashvili elected Georgia’s president as the sole uncontested candidate

Georgia’s Central Election Commission has declared former footballer and member of the anti-western political party People’s Power Mikheil Kavelashvili as the winner of today’s presidential election. 

For the first time in the country’s history, the president was elected by a 300-member electoral college. 

Kavelashvili was elected with 224 votes from the 300-member electoral college, while most of the remaining members, representing the opposition, boycotted the process.

Kavelashvili was the sole candidate, nominated by the ruling Georgian Dream party.

Both the vote and the newly elected parliament have been boycotted by all four opposition groups that, according to the 26 October election results, secured representation in the contested parliament.

Rondeli Foundation researcher sentenced to four days in prison 

Tbilisi City Court Judge Lela Tsagareishvili has sentenced an anti-government protester and junior researcher at the prominent Georgian think tank Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies, more commonly known as the Rondeli Foundation, to four days in prison for defying police orders.

At today’s hearing, according to Publika, Vato Bzhalava testified that a police officer had slapped him twice, kicked him, and threatened to reclassify his administrative charges into a criminal offence during questioning.

Bzhalava was apprehended, according to him, by men in plainclothes while he was walking his dog in Tbilisi on Thursday. His dog was reportedly left unattended and tied to a nearby tree. 

Voting ends in presidential election

The Electoral College has finished voting in the Georgian presidential elections. The Central Election Commission is currently counting the votes. It is expected that Mikheil Kavelashvili, as the sole nominee, may be announced as president-elect soon.

Mothers march through Tbilisi

A group of mothers holding a banner reading ‘Let them go, hands off my child’ have marched to the Georgian Parliament building, where they will meet up with other protesters before moving to Orbeliani Palace.

This is a gathering of mothers.
"Let him go, he's my son", banner says.
They are going to parliament and then to the president residence. pic.twitter.com/RAjobjPL0y

— Mariam Nikuradze (@mari_nikuradze) December 14, 2024

Protest 24 releases anthem video featuring injured activists and journalists

Protest 24, a group providing online guidance on non-violent protest tactics that was formed during the anti-government protests against the foreign agent law in the spring, have released a video produced by VARFILMS group. 

The video showcases protesters and journalists bearing visible injuries inflicted by police or masked assailants as they sing the Georgian national anthem.

Environmental defenders march to Parliament

A group of environmental defenders have begun marching from Republic Square to join the protests in front of the Georgian Parliament building

A group of environmental defenders have begun marching from Republic Square to join the protests in front of the Georgian Parliament building.

🔴 Live updates: https://t.co/TgXUNRAyV9 pic.twitter.com/DeF7XCFUdF

— OC Media (@OCMediaorg) December 14, 2024

Electoral college member casts protest vote during presidential election

During the casting of her ballot today, Ada Marshania, a member of the electoral college representing the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia — a government-in-exile — voiced her protest in parliament, accusing the ruling party of mismanaging the presidential election.

‘You should have thought of a better candidate. With this, all of you together have harmed Georgia, and you’ve also harmed yourselves as a political force’, announced Marshania, before submitting her ballot without marking a choice. 

Marshania served as an MP in the Georgian Parliament from 1992 to 2004 and again from 2016 to 2020, representing the Alliance of Patriots parliamentary group during her most recent term.

Prominent protest organiser summoned by police

Nancy Woland, the founder of the anti-government protest group Daitove, has stated that the Interior Ministry contacted her last night and that she was summoned for questioning today. 

Like the vast majority of protesters previously summoned, she said that she would choose to be questioned exclusively in the presence of a magistrate judge.

Two Abkhazian Supreme Council members boycott presidential election

Temur Mzhavia and Zurab Jguburia, two members of the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia and electors in the presidential electoral college, have boycotted the presidential election being held today. The Council, representing a government-in-exile, holds 20 of the 300 seats in the electoral college.

‘I cannot elect a mental Russian as the country’s president, and, overall, I do not recognise the fairness or legitimacy of these elections!’, Jguburia announced on his Facebook page yesterday. 

Mzhavia served as the chair of the Supreme Council from 2004 to 2009.

Protesters play football on Rustaveli Avenue

Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has shared a video of protesters playing football in front of the Georgian Parliament building, as within the electoral college votes for ex-footballer Mikheil Kavelashvili as president. 

#Georgia protests Georgia never loses its sense of humour, marking the designation of the soccerplayer- president pic.twitter.com/rr0z5M4oBg

— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) December 14, 2024

Earlier today, Zourabichvili walked through the protests on her way to Orbeliani Palace, the presidential seat.

MEPs call for immediate sanctions

A cross-delegation of MEPs who visited Tbilisi on Thursday have called on the EU to ‘immediately introduce sanctions against all those leading political figures who played a role in orchestrating the democratic backsliding, severe election violations, and the brutal violence against hundreds of peaceful protesters’ in a letter addressed to Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas and Commissioner for Englargement Marta Kos.

The MEPs also urged EU member states to impose ‘unilateral individual sanctions without any delay’ and called on EU leaders to avoid meeting with leaders and representatives from the ruling Georgian Dream party.

As a solution to the political crisis, the MEPs called for new elections to take place within a year, which would be conducted under an ‘improved electoral environment by an independent and impartial election administration, under international observation’.

Rigged elections. Brutal repression. A stolen future. We as 🇪🇺 must:
✅Introduce sanctions against GD regime immediately
✅Demand new free&fair election
✅Support 🇬🇪people fighting for democracy!@KajaKallas @MartaKosEU @vonderleyen
Joint statement after our mission to Tbilisi👇 pic.twitter.com/GjtSj94cgl

— Michał Szczerba (@MichalSzczerba) December 13, 2024

Protesters carry diplomas to mock presidential candidate

Protesters have brought their diplomas to the protest in front of the Georgian parliament building, highlighting presidential candidate Mikheil Kavelashvili’s lack of higher education. 

"Show Kavelashvili a diploma" | Citizens have brought their diplomas to the rally. The #presidential candidate does not have a diploma, does not have a higher education#RustaveliAvenue #GeorgiaProtests Protest pic.twitter.com/fEBeZhmLV9

— Samira Bayramova 🇬🇪 🇪🇺 🇺🇸 (@SamBayramova) December 14, 2024

Der Spiegel: EU coalition willing to adopt sanctions individually without Hungary

The German news website Der Spiegel has reported that the German Foreign Office intends to push for possible EU sanctions against the Georgian government, and that a corresponding initiative will be made on Monday at the meeting of EU foreign ministers. 

The media outlet also reported that if Hungary blocked sanctions at the EU level, a coalition of willing EU member states would be formed, citing information from diplomatic circles. 

‘The sanctions are to be exclusively so-called individual sanctions, which are only directed against certain representatives. Visa restrictions for Georgian Dream party officials are cited as an example. The aim is to avoid affecting the population under any circumstances’, Der Spiegel reported. 

According to the media outlet, this plan to act without Hungary was said to have been discussed on the sidelines of the Weimar Triangle meeting between German European Minister Anna Lührmann, Polish European Minister Adam Szłapka, and French European Minister Benjamin Haddad.

COE Commissioner for human rights meets with Georgian human rights defenders

The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O'Flaherty, met with human rights defenders in Georgia yesterday to discuss the human rights situation in the country.

I met online today with #humanrights defenders from #Georgia to discuss the very worrying human rights situation and the need to uphold the right of peaceful assembly pic.twitter.com/EV4K501OyZ

— Commissioner for Human Rights (@CommissionerHR) December 13, 2024

European Film Academy calls for release of Georgian actor

The European Film Academy has called on the Georgian authorities to ‘immediately and unconditionally’ release Georgian actor Andro Chichinadze, who was detained on 5 December on charges of ‘organising, leading, participating in, and publicly calling for violent actions’. 

‘The arrest appears to be part of broader government efforts to suppress peaceful protests and intimidate the public, raising serious concerns about the freedom of expression and the safety of artists in Georgia’, the statement read.

The Academy noted that they were worried about Chichinadze’s ‘mental and physical well-being’, and encouraged all other film and cultural institutions around the world to join them in calling for Chichinadze’s unconditional release.

Protesters reach the Georgian Parliament

People began gathering as early as 7:00 near the Tbilisi Concert Hall in preparation for a march to the Georgian Parliament to protest against the presidential elections being held as well as the government’s EU u-turn. 

Students began marching at 8:00 towards parliament, reaching the building on Rustaveli Avenue by 9:00 when the voting began.

People have started gathering by Parliament from early morning to protest against what they see as illegitimate presidential elections to take place today. The only candidate, member of anti-Western People’s Power party, was nominated by Bidzina Ivanishvili.
🎥 Rusudan Chanturia pic.twitter.com/e4mLM4BeRB

— Civil.ge (@CivilGe) December 14, 2024

Water cannons have been stationed at Liberty Square and police have blocked off the side streets as well as the main area in front of the parliament building.

Presidential elections begin at 9:00

The presidential elections have begun in the Georgian Parliament — voting will continue until 14:00. Only one candidate has been nominated: Mikheil Kavelashvili, a founding member of People’s Party, which yesterday moved into the ‘opposition’ in parliament.

During this period, the security level at parliament has been upgraded to yellow, which means that entry into the building will be possible only for members of the electoral college and persons invited by relevant structural units. In addition, only groups of media outlets that have received special one-time accreditation to cover the Georgian presidential elections will be allowed into the building.

Key events from yesterday:

• Over 15 different demonstrations took place across the city during the day, blocking traffic. The groups eventually converged in the evening in front of the parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue. 
• The US imposed visa restrictions on around twenty more Georgian citizens, including ministers, MPs, law enforcement and security officials, and private citizens. 
• People’s Power left the parliamentary majority to create a ‘healthy opposition’ in a move widely thought to be motivated by Georgian Dream’s desire to deflect criticism that is operating in a one-party parliament.
• OC Media published a feature detailing the systemic police brutality enacted against peaceful demonstrators: ‘When we get in the minibus, the fun will start’ — How Georgian police torture detained protesters
• The parliamentary majority adopted a package of laws that prohibits the use of pyrotechnics and lasers at rallies, as well as wearing masks. It also toughens a number of administrative penalties, and changes the rules for hiring people to work in the police force.