Anti-government protests planned in Tbilisi November 18 and 21

Event

The opposition European Georgia party has called for large-scale anti-government rallies in Tbilisi on Wednesday, November 18, and Saturday, November 21, to denounce the results of the disputed October 31 parliamentary elections and to coincide with the second round of run-off voting on November 21. Participants will gather in silence at 11:00 (local time) on November 18 in front of the Opera and Ballet Theatre, and a human chain will form on November 21 during the second round of voting; however, the time and location are yet to be announced. 

A heightened security presence and localized disruptions are likely in the vicinity of any protest site.

Context

The Georgian Dream party were declared the winners of the October 31 parliamentary election after winning 48.15 percent of the vote. The leader of the Movement for Liberty - European Georgia, Davit Bakradze, stated that he believed that the vote was neither free nor fair and that his party rejected the results. There were allegations of voter harassment and widespread corruption during the October 31 elections. Runoff elections will be held in 15 districts on November 21, and the Georgian Dream is poised to secure a majority in parliament.  

Advice

Those in Tbilisi are advised to monitor developments, avoid any protest and demonstration locations as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.