🇬🇪| This week’s Georgia: Explained is out.
One year of daily protests, BBC Eye’s investigation into a banned toxic chemical used on protesters, and the arrest of Aleko Elisashvili after trying to burn the City Court chancellery: shorturl.at/ji0V5
NEW: Over the past week, Georgian Dream regime launched new criminal cases against opposition leaders, opened investigations against ex-PM Giorgi Gakharia, moved to strip the diaspora of voting rights, and kept chasing protesters through Tbilisi’s streets: shorturl.at/TK9H4
High-Profile Raids, Arrests, and New Repressive Laws: GD Tightens Its Grip. This weeks "Georgia: Explained" is here: project64.substack.com/p/high-profi...
Introducing Georgia: Explained, a new Substack newsletter by Project 64, written and reported by @annagvarish.bsky.social
In times when repressive laws push independent media into crisis, we do what we do best: explain.
🇬🇪| All five organizers of the October 4 mass rally have been placed in pre-trial detention. They’re facing four charges, including calls for the overthrow of the state.
#GeorgiaProtests
🇬🇪| Despite the MIA’s threats that any protest held today or in the coming days will be treated as a continuation of the “attempted coup,” Georgians remain determined to block Rustaveli Avenue — just as they have for the past 311 days.
The future looks uncertain, even frightening, but for what it’s worth, #GeorgiaProtests continue. Organizers of today’s rally declared that the revolution has only just begun.
@annagvarish.bsky.social for Project 64.
Burchuladze, 70, was gassed during the clashes and later hospitalized, where Special Task Forces entered the facility and detained. Four other organizers, were also arrested last night. The MIA launched investigations under four criminal articles, including an attempted coup d’état. 8/
The plan began with the Presidential Residence — an absurd choice in many ways. A group of protesters attacked the Residence and were dispersed by the Special Task Forces, while others decided to continue the protest peacefully on Rustaveli Avenue, just as they have for the past 310 days. 7/
After that, Burchuladze declared that protesters should take over each institutional building one by one and urged Special Task Forces and the MIA to obey “the people’s power.” 6/
The plan was revealed during the rally itself, when Paata Burchuladze, one of the organizers and a famous opera singer, announced that from now on, power belongs to the people of Georgia. He called on the crowd to “vote” for this by raising their hands. 5/
Until the last moment, it wasn’t clear what the plan was or why they were so sure Bidzina Ivanishvili would leave the country the next day. 4/
The idea was rejected by all other opposition parties and viewed with suspicion by many within the protest movement. Still, protesters gathered as they have for 310 consecutive nights. 3/
GD, of course, won in all 64 districts, including Tbilisi.
On the other side, United National Movement leaders and affiliated political figures declared October 4 as the day of a “peaceful coup,” or in other words “a revolution”. 2/
🇬🇪| On October 4, Georgian Dream held local elections boycotted by almost all opposition parties. Only two, who were originally part of the protest movement, decided to still participate even though polls showed that the majority of the protest electorate opposed it. 1/
Protesters broke through security outside the president's office. Police used tear gas, water cannons and pepper spray against the demonstrators.
#GeorgiaProtests
photo: @GeorgeGogua
Protesters broke through security outside the president's office. Police used tear gas, water cannons and pepper spray against the demonstrators.
#GeorgiaProtests
photo: George Gogua
🇬🇪 | Situation outside the president's office. Protesters clash with police. Police use water cannon, tear gas and pepper spray against protesters
#GeorgiaProtests
🇬🇪 | Liberty Square, Tbilisi.
#GeorgiaProtests, Day 311
🇬🇪 People are marching from Tbilisi State University towards Rustaveli Avenue. #GeorgiaProtests
🇬🇪 “Till the end” — Students and professors are preparing to march from Tbilisi State University to Rustaveli Avenue, where today’s mass rally will take place alongside the boycotted local elections. #GeorgiaProtests
The organizers of today’s protest are setting up the stage on Liberty Square, while the courtyards of the Parliament and Tbilisi City Council are packed with minibuses full of Special Task Force officers. #GeorgiaProtests
The mothers of prisoners of conscience are making sandwiches for protesters traveling from other cities for today’s mass rally. #GeorgiaProtesters
Meanwhile, GD’s PM Irakli Kobakhidze and other leaders warn that police measures will be harsher than during the November–December crackdowns and arrests.
Stay with Project 64 for the most accurate, in-depth updates throughout the day.
6/6
they remain determined to show up, as they have for 310 days. In response, the State Security Service has arrested two UNM leaders, including Khabeishvili, on charges of inciting a state coup. 5/6
Two months ago, UNM leader Levan Khabeishvili announced a mass demonstration for October 4, calling it a “peaceful coup.” Others call it a “revolution.” While many activists criticized setting such a deadline, fearing it could lead to disillusionment, 4/6
Only two opposition parties, initially pro-boycott, decided to enter the race, angering many protesters. Polls show most of those in active resistance oppose participating in elections. 3/6
On October 4, Georgian Dream is holding local elections. The majority of opposition parties are boycotting, just as they boycotted the rigged 2024 parliamentary results. 2/6
🇬🇪 | Georgia heads into a critical day after 310 days of daily protests and with more than 65 political prisoners, including journalists and opposition leaders.
Everything you need to know about October 4 #GeorgiaProtests
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6/ The case has intensified scrutiny of Ivanishvili’s control over Georgia’s judiciary and security services. #GeorgiaProtests
