03 Feb 2020 | 01:50 PM UTC
Georgia: Anti-government protest planned in Tbilisi February 4 /update 9
Opposition group calls for further anti-government protests in Tbilisi starting February 4; heightened security presence and transportation disruptions expected
Event
The European Georgia opposition party has called for a protest in Tbilisi on Tuesday, February 4. Participants are expected to gather in urban centers, notably in front of the parliament building which has been the location of similar previous protests; however, organizers have not announced an exact meeting time and location as of Monday, February 3.
Counterprotests and similar demonstrations in major urban areas are possible in the coming days. A heightened security presence and associated transportation disruptions are likely near all protest locations.
Context
Several thousand people participated in opposition protests in Tbilisi on November 13, 14, and 26 to demand fair parliamentary elections in 2020. Lawmakers failed to pass a constitutional amendment that would have instituted a proportional voting system for the 2020 elections. Activists have called for protests to continue indefinitely and opposition lawmakers will reportedly demand that parliamentary elections be moved up and held under the proportional voting system.
Advice
Individuals in Tbilisi are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protest and demonstration locations as a precaution and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.
