Protest rally continues on Rustaveli Ave, demands remain unchanged
People started gathering on Rustaveli Avenue at 7 p.m. on June 21, after a rally was dispersed at the same place in front of the parliament a day earlier. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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The peaceful demonstration in front of the parliament of Georgia in central Tbilisi is still underway.
The demands that were voiced by the protesters at the very beginning of the rally remain unchanged.
Three major demands that were initially put forward by the opposition leaders include:
- the resignation of Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia;
- the release of people detained yesterday;
- holding of snap parliamentary elections with proportional electoral system
Although the opposition leaders are attending the protest rally on Rustaveli Avenue, the civilians do not let them make public statement.
Gigi Ugulava from the European Georgia opposition was among them. Some of the demonstrators threw bottles at him, urging to leave the rally.
Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
European Georgia’s Elene Khoshtaria recently told TV Pirveli that although the protests were initially announced by the opposition, the June 21 protest “does not serve any political interests” but rather shows a wider public attitude.
Meanwhile, the Georgian Foreign Minister Davit Zalkaliani condemned the Russian delegation's recent visit to Georgia that triggered public protest.
Condemn the fact of the occupying state’s rep. chairing I.A.O. meeting at Geo's Parliament and fully agree with public protests in this regard. Sadly peaceful protest was transformed into violence 4 political aims. Thanks to Dip. Corps 4 calling parties 2 uphold rule of law.
— David Zalkaliani (@DZalkaliani) June 21, 2019
The protesters welcomed the recent decission of Russian President Vladimir Putin to ban flights to Georgia as part of Russian state reaction to protest in Tbilisi over a Duma MP's appearance in parliament.
Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Misha Mshvildadze, one of the protesters, said the demonstrations will continue permanently until all of their demands are met. This may take even months, he stated.
Protest rallies were held in other towns of Georgia as well, including Batumi and Kutaisi. People also arrived from various regions to join the demonstration in Tbilisi.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili spoke with foreign diplomats about the June 20 protest and expressed her readiness to meet every political force that rejects the “destructive calls”. “We have no option but unification, reconciliation and following our European path”, she stated.
Russian president Vladimir Putin has ordered a ban on flights to Georgia as part of Russian state reaction to protest in Tbilisi following a Duma MP's appearance in the Tbilisi parliament.
Georgia’s ex-Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili responded to the June 20 developments in front of the parliament building in central Tbilisi, saying “the government has made a severe mistake, to which it admitted, but was late with its political response.”
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has responded to unrest that started on June 20 and stated that unrest and confrontations in the country affect each citizen of Georgia and benefits enemy.