Georgia: Protests in Tbilisi September 3 /update 9

Event

Protests are possible in the coming hours and days, following the announcement on Monday, September 2, that Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze has resigned. Bakhtadze, who took office in 2018, has become the fourth prime minister of Georgia to resign from his post in the last seven years. Parliamentary officials are to announce his successor on Tuesday, September 3.

Further, activists have scheduled a protest on Tuesday, September 3, to coincide with the resumption of the parliamentary session. Participants seek to continue calling for Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia's resignation. The protest will begin at Tbilisi's Parliament at 11:00 (local time). Protests may intensify and occur in various locations, including outside Tbilisi, should Gakharia be nominated as interim prime minister.

Significant transportation and business disruptions are expected at and near the protest. A heightened security presence is anticipated, and police officers will likely use force to disperse crowds. Clashes between protesters and security forces cannot be ruled out.

Context

Around 10,000 opposition protesters rallied outside of parliament on the night of June 20, to denounce the participation of Russian MP Sergey Gavrilov at the General Inter-Parliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy. Protests reportedly turned violent after images emerged of Gavrilov sitting in a seat typically reserved for Parliamentary Chairperson Irakli Kobakhidze. Police subsequently fired tear gas at protesters after several attempted to storm the parliament building. Demonstrations continued over the subsequent days outside the parliament and headquarters of the ruling Georgia Dream party, with protesters demanding the resignations of various top officials and early elections.

Advice

Individuals in Georgia are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests and demonstrations as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.