Former Officials Join Pro-European Protests in Tbilisi Amidst Ongoing 255-Day Rally

TBILISI, Georgia – August 9, 2025 saw a significant pro-European march in Tbilisi, as a group of former public officials walked from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the parliament building. The participants, many of whom were former employees of the state's various institutions, specifically the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed their strong opposition to what they perceive as politically motivated actions against individuals who voice dissenting opinions or challenge the government's foreign policy direction.

Upon reaching the parliament, the marchers joined an existing, continuous protest that has now lasted for 255 days. This prolonged demonstration in Tbilisi and other Georgian cities began on November 28, 2024, following Irakli Kobakhidze's announcement that Georgia was "stopping the Euro-integration process".

A significant number of the former public officials involved in the march were previously employed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. These individuals, who had worked on Euro-integration issues, were reportedly dismissed from the Ministry at various times because they opposed the suspension of Georgia's Euro-integration process and had signed statements to that effect. Their protest underscores concerns about the country's direction away from European integration.

The broader context of these protests also includes a focus on freedom of speech and media independence. Netgazeti, an independent media outlet that reported on the march, stated its commitment to continuing to inform citizens despite challenges. The outlet views an "analogous law" to a "Russian law" that has reportedly "eliminated all democratic institutions and strengthened dictatorship" in Russia, as anti-constitutional and anti-democratic in Georgia. Netgazeti has affirmed it will not comply with this law or register in a foreign influence transparency register. The founder and director of Netgazeti, Mzia Amaglobeli, was arrested, and the outlet considers her a "prisoner of conscience" of the "Russian regime," demanding her immediate release.