In Tbilisi, more than 30 people were detained for protests

Over 30 individuals were arrested in Tbilisi during protests, as reported by Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs.
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The detentions occurred on February 2 near the Tbilisi Mall shopping center, where law enforcement officials took 31 people into custody for administrative offenses, specifically under Article 173, which pertains to disobeying a lawful order from a police officer.

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The protests escalated the previous day when demonstrators attempted to block the main highway leading into Tbilisi. Among those detained was Nick Melia, leader of the Coalition Party for Changes, who was later released on a written pledge. Protesters are demanding new parliamentary elections and the release of individuals arrested during earlier demonstrations.

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These ongoing protests in Georgia, calling for fresh parliamentary elections, began on November 28, 2024, following Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s announcement to delay discussions on the country’s EU membership negotiations until 2028. Since the start of these demonstrations, several hundred people have been detained by law enforcement.