Day 193: Rustaveli Avenue Blockade Continues as Families of Political Prisoners Rally in Zugdidi

On June 9, 2025, marking the 193rd consecutive day of pro-European demonstrations, protesters again blocked Rustaveli Avenue in front of Georgia’s parliament in Tbilisi, while relatives of detained activists traveled to the Samegrelo region—gathering in Zugdidi to distribute newspapers containing letters from political prisoners and renew calls for their release and new parliamentary elections.

Origins of the protests: Since the ruling Georgian Dream party announced a suspension of Georgia’s EU accession process in late October 2024, citizens have staged non-stop demonstrations demanding the reinstatement of the European integration track and respect for democratic norms.

Government response: The one-party parliament, whose legitimacy is contested after the October 26, 2024 elections, has enacted a suite of repressive measures targeting dissent, independent media, and civil society. Dozens, including opposition leaders and journalists, have been arrested on criminal charges. Key protest demands are the release of political prisoners, the resignation of the Georgian Dream government, and the scheduling of fresh elections.

Rustaveli Avenue blockade (20:30): As dusk fell, demonstrators again occupied Rustaveli Avenue, impeding all traffic before the parliament building. The blockade is now a daily fixture—symbolizing sustained public pressure on the ruling party.

Families of political prisoners in Samegrelo (20:00): Relatives of those jailed during the protests journeyed from Tbilisi to Samegrelo’s regional hub of Zugdidi. There, they handed out specially printed newspapers featuring letters penned by their detained loved ones. Their itinerary also included a visit to the village of Rukhi, near the occupation line with Abkhazia.

Local media reports: According to Publika and Interpressnews, the protesters maintained their original two-fold demand—new parliamentary elections and the unconditional release of all those arrested for supporting European integration. Participants prominently displayed Georgian and EU flags alongside their placards.

Details & Quotes

“My son’s only crime is his love for our homeland,” — a mother at the Zugdidi rally, quoting her detained child’s letter.

• Distribution scale: Over two days, families in Samegrelo distributed nearly 15,000 newspapers containing personal testimonies from political prisoners, aiming to raise awareness of their plight among regional communities.

• Symbolic significance: The dual presence of protest sites—urban Tbilisi and regional Samegrelo—underscores the national dimension of the movement, transcending capital-centric politics.

Analysis & Reactions

Civil society perspective: Observers note that the families’ direct involvement adds moral weight to the protests, potentially swaying undecided citizens and drawing renewed international attention to Georgia’s democratic backsliding.

Government stance: Georgian Dream officials have characterized the demonstrations as an “externally funded hate speech campaign” and escalated legal actions against organizers and supporters. Yet public participation shows little sign of waning, suggesting that heavy-handed tactics may deepen popular resolve rather than suppress it.

International concerns: European partners have repeatedly called on Georgia to uphold human rights and electoral integrity. The endurance of the protests, now in their seventh month, has prompted renewed appeals for EU mediation and targeted sanctions against those undermining democracy.

As Day 193 draws to a close, the protest movement remains resolute. The nightly blockade of Rustaveli Avenue converges with regional solidarity actions—most notably the family-led rallies in Samegrelo—to reinforce the core demands: release all political prisoners and hold free, fair elections. With no indication of either side relenting, Georgia’s pro-European resistance looks set to continue shaping the country’s political landscape in the weeks and months ahead.