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🇬🇪| 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.

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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.

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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/

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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/

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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/

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Protesters broke through security outside the president's office. Police used tear gas, water cannons and pepper spray against the demonstrators. #GeorgiaProtests photo: @GeorgeGogua

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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

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🇬🇪 | Situation outside the president's office. Protesters clash with police. Police use water cannon, tear gas and pepper spray against protesters #GeorgiaProtests

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🇬🇪 | Liberty Square, Tbilisi. #GeorgiaProtests, Day 311

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🇬🇪 People are marching from Tbilisi State University towards Rustaveli Avenue. #GeorgiaProtests

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🇬🇪 “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

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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

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The mothers of prisoners of conscience are making sandwiches for protesters traveling from other cities for today’s mass rally. #GeorgiaProtesters

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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🇬🇪 | 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 🧵 1/6

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6/ The case has intensified scrutiny of Ivanishvili’s control over Georgia’s judiciary and security services. #GeorgiaProtests

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5/ Bachiashvili’s lawyer, Robert Amsterdam, condemned the “forcible return” and warned of torture risks, citing Georgia’s history of judicial abuse. Transparency International has questioned the evidence against Bachiashvili, noting Ivanishvili’s influence.

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4/ The State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG) claims Bachiashvili was arrested on May 26 near the “green zone” border with Azerbaijan and Armenia, following an anonymous tip. This contradicts his kidnapping claim, raising questions about the SSSG’s account.

3/ Bachiashvili fled Georgia on March 4, citing “black holes in the system” to evade an 11-year sentence in absentia for allegedly embezzling $42.7 million in bitcoins (~9,000 bitcoins) from Ivanishvili. He and his lawyers call the charges politically motivated.

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2/ At his court hearing, Bachiashvili declared, “Today, I am Bidzina Ivanishvili’s personal prisoner,” accusing the Georgian Dream founder of orchestrating an “international crime.”

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1/ Giorgi Bachiashvili, former aide and business partner of Bidzina Ivanishvili, alleges he was kidnapped abroad on May 24, blindfolded for two days, and forcibly flown to Tbilisi on an Airzena (Georgian Airways) Bombardier plane. He appeared in court today, May 30.

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10/ Critics argue the commission lacks legitimacy and serves to silence opposition voices ahead of critical political moments. Melia’s arrest underscores growing tensions in Georgia’s political landscape. #GeorgiaProtests

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9/ Former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia complied with the commission’s summons, avoiding arrest. His decision has sparked debate among opposition groups about how to counter Georgian Dream’s tactics.

8/ Nika Gvaramia, Ahali Party co-chair, faces a court hearing on June 7 for refusing to pay similar fines. Meanwhile, opposition leaders like Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze of Lelo/Strong Georgia paid fines to avoid detention.

7/ On May 22, Zurab Japaridze, leader of Girchi – More Freedom and a Coalition for Change member, was detained on similar charges. Japaridze’s inclusion, despite not being part of the UNM government, has intensified criticism of the commission’s motives.

6/ On May 14, former Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili was arrested for refusing to pay fines for non-compliance with the commission, which claims to investigate alleged crimes from the 2003–2012 UNM government era.

5/ Melia’s arrest is part of a broader crackdown on opposition leaders who refuse to comply with a controversial parliamentary investigative commission, established by Georgian Dream and widely criticized as a tool to suppress dissent.

4/ Propaganda media linked to the MIA cited Melia’s alleged “disobedience to police,” a common pretext used to detain anti-Georgian Dream activists and politicians. Melia had previously declared he would not attend the “sham hearing” but was prepared for jail.

3/ Eyewitnesses reported hundreds of Criminal Police officers at the scene, confiscating memory cards from vehicles and preventing filming. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has yet to issue an official statement on the arrest.

2/ On May 28, the Prosecutor General’s Office unexpectedly requested a postponement of Melia’s hearing. Hours later, Melia was detained on the street, raising concerns about the Georgian Dream regime’s disregard for legal procedures.

1/ Nika Melia, co-chairman of the Ahali Party and member of the Coalition for Change, was arrested yesterday evening, one day before his scheduled court hearing on charges related to his refusal to pay bail for non-compliance with a Georgian Dream-led parliamentary commission.

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Full story here: bsky.app/profile/64pr...

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Last week, Zurab Japaridze, chairman of the Girchi More Freedom Party, was arrested on similar charges. Another co-chair of the Ahali Party, Nika Gvaramia faces similar punishment. 4/

The commission, established by the ruling Georgian Dream party, is widely criticized as lacking legitimacy. It claims to investigate past government actions but is seen by many as a mechanism to suppress dissent. 3/

Melia, previously arrested in 2021 over the 2019 Gavrilov’s Night protests, has stated he will not attend what he calls a “sham hearing.” 2/