Georgian pro-EU demonstrators mark 601st day of parliament protests

Pro-European demonstrators have gathered outside Georgia's parliament in Tbilisi for a 601st consecutive day to demand the release of political prisoners and fresh elections.

Activist group Publika reported that more than 100 people lined Rustaveli Avenue on Tuesday evening, holding Georgian, EU, Ukrainian and US flags alongside placards calling for judicial transparency and press freedom.

The daily demonstrations began on 28 November 2024, driven by opposition to controversial government legislation and the suspension of the country's EU integration process.

Among those highlighted during Tuesday's vigil was Luka Dzhabua, a demonstrator who spent his 22nd birthday in Gldani prison.

Dzhabua was one of 11 people sentenced to two years in prison in September 2025 after being convicted of participating in unrest during the early months of the rallies. An appeals court upheld his sentence in April.

The gathering followed a larger rally on Monday marking 600 continuous days of protest. That demonstration included a march in support of activist Giorgi Chighladze, who was detained in Telavi following a complaint by a Russian tourist. Chighladze was released on bail on Tuesday.

Families of detained activists have also expanded their outreach across the country.

According to Georgian news outlet Netgazeti, relatives distributed more than 55,000 copies of campaign newspapers titled Voice of Freedom from Prison and Cell 101 in the coastal towns of Batumi, Kobuleti and Ureki over the past two days.

The hand-distributed publications feature letters written by prisoners to maintain public awareness of their cases.

Thousands of citizens have faced administrative prosecution or criminal charges since the wave of civil unrest began in late 2024, with security forces routinely using tear gas and water cannon to disperse crowds.

Protesters outside parliament said they intend to maintain their daily presence on Rustaveli Avenue until their demands for political reform and new elections are met.