August 11, 2025 - The South Caucasus News - SouthCaucasusNews.com

Non-stop protests have been taking place across Georgia for 257 days since Georgian Dream announced it was halting the EU integration process. Since then, protesters have blocked Tbilisi’s Rustaveli Avenue, where the parliament building is located, every day, while daily gatherings have also taken place in other major Georgian cities. Georgian Dream authorities, whose legitimacy is disputed after the contested October 26, 2024, parliamentary elections, have responded to the protests with force and repression.

The one-party parliament has introduced a series of repressive laws to crack down on dissent, independent media, and civil society. Dozens have been arrested and remain in jail on criminal charges, including protesters, opposition leaders, and journalist Mzia Amaglobeli. Key demands include the release of political prisoners, the resignation of the GD government, and the scheduling of new elections.

For earlier developments, refer to our previous:

Monday, August 11

17:00 – Tbilisi City Court Sends Another Protester to Seven Days’ Administrative Detention

Tbilisi City Court Judge Zviad Tsekvava sent protester Ioseb Jandieri to seven days of administrative detention after he was detained on August 9 on charges of petty hooliganism and disobedience of a lawful police order.

11:00 – Pro-EU Protester Insaf Aliev on Hunger Strike

Insaf Aliev, one of eight protesters detained during recent pro-EU demonstrations in Georgia and facing charges of participating in group violence that carry prison sentences of four to six years, has gone on hunger strike, his lawyer announced on Facebook. According to the lawyer, Aliev reported inhumane prison conditions, including cockroach infestations, lack of water, and blocked sanitation facilities after being moved to a new cell. Denied basic hygiene and food access for hours despite appeals for help, Aliev was punished with a five-day solitary confinement after knocking on his cell door for assistance. His lawyer stressed that Aliev suffers from health issues requiring medication and injections every two days, yet his access to essential treatment remains restricted.

Wednesday, August 6

14:00 – Journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli Sentenced to Two Years in Jail as Court Reclassifies Charges

Batumelebi and Netgazeti founder Mzia Amaghlobeli has been sentenced to two years in jail after the court’s last-minute decision to reclassify criminal charges from attack on a police officer to “resistance, threat or violence” against an official. While still deemed unfair by Amaghlobeli’s supporters, the verdict is seen as a slight retreat from the Georgian judiciary’s previously uncompromising stance on protest-related cases.

Tuesday, August 5

20:00 – “Don’t you dare! You cannot bring back Soviet terror!” Tbilisi Protesters Rally

“Don’t you dare! You cannot bring back Soviet terror!” – protesters march in Tbilisi in solidarity with detained journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, teacher Nino Datashvili, and others jailed over protests.

“Don’t you dare! You cannot bring back Soviet terror!” – protesters march in Tbilisi in solidarity with detained journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, teacher Nino Datashvili, and others jailed over protests. Day 251 of non-stop #GeorgiaProtests
🎥 Nini Gabritchidze/Civil.ge pic.twitter.com/pOISWXwsQO

— Civil.ge (@CivilGe) August 5, 2025

16:15 – Another Activist Fined 3500 GEL

Tbilisi City Court Judge Koba Chagunava has fined activist Mariam Mekantsishvili 3,500 GEL [ 1,296 USD] over the July 24 incident in Tbilisi’s Africa settlement. That day, tensions flared on Tvalchrelidze Street as the National Enforcement Bureau carried out evictions from a building it said was unsafe, privately owned, and illegally occupied. Throughout the day, dozens of families were removed, and other citizens gathered at the scene. By evening, 17 people, including residents and activists, had been detained on administrative charges, mainly for disobeying police orders.

12:30 – Appeals Court Overturns Fine Against RFE/RL Journalist in Contempt Case

The Tbilisi Court of Appeals, led by acting chair Irakli Shengelia, has overturned a decision by Tbilisi City Court judge Romeo Tkeshelashvili to fine Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist Nino Tarkhnishvili 200 GEL [74 USD] for alleged contempt of court. Tkeshelashvili imposed the fine on July 7 during a hearing in the case of pro-European rally participant and doctor Giorgi Akhobadze, accused of drug-related offenses, claiming Tarkhnishvili sat down without permission before the judge formally allowed it. However, the Appeals Court, citing video footage of the session, found that Tarkhnishvili had stood up upon the court clerk’s prompt after the recess, refuting the City Court’s account and nullifying the penalty.

Monday, August 4

13:00 – RSF Slams Georgia’s Growing Wave of Journalist Entry Bans

Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the Paris-based press freedom watchdog, has condemned what it calls a “worrying rise in authoritarianism” after Moroccan journalist Hicham El Bouhmidi, known for covering anti-government protests, was denied entry at the Georgian border. Similar bans have affected other journalists, including French reporters Jérôme Chobeaux, Clément Girardot, and Marylise Vigneau were denied Entry in Georgia. “We condemn the wave of entry bans imposed on more than five journalists in recent months,” RSF stated, urging authorities to halt these restrictions on press freedom.

One of the corridor’s most remarkable benefits is the dramatic reduction in transit distances and times. By cutting rail distance between Azerbaijan and Türkiye by approximately 343 kilometres, TRIPP is projected to shorten freight transit times by 12 to 15 days compared to current routes. This improvement could unlock $50 billion to $100 billion in annual trade value by 2027, positioning the corridor as a critical artery for Eurasian commerce.

For Azerbaijan, the corridor offers a vital boost to its non-oil sector—a strategic priority for sustainable growth. Export volumes are expected to rise by over $700 million, with non-oil GDP growing by around 2 percent annually. Key sectors set to benefit include manufacturing (3% growth), mining (2.7%), agriculture (over 10%), tourism (5.5%), and transport services (nearly 5%). These gains will help diversify Azerbaijan’s economy and reduce dependence on oil revenues…