Georgia: Opposition UNM party supporters demonstrating in Tbilisi, Feb. 7

Event

Opposition leaders and supporters of the United National Movement (UMN) party are demonstrating in Tbilisi on Feb. 7, in support of the jailed former president Mikheil Saakashvili. Protesters are gathered in front of the residence of the prime minister, Irakli Garibashvili. The UMN leader Levan Khabeishvili declared that the action would continue until Saakashvili is released, and that the protests would be peaceful.

It is not known how many attendees are gathered at the protest site; several thousand activists demonstrated in Tbilisi in support of Saakashvili in December, and future events are likely to attract similar numbers. Activists may also gather outside the headquarters of the ruling Georgian Dream party and at other government and national sites.

Additional police will almost certainly deploy to monitor the protests. Large numbers of people and associated security measures, including possible road closures and movement restrictions, will likely prompt localized transport disruptions. The events are likely to pass peacefully, though isolated clashes between police and protesters cannot be ruled out.

Advice

Avoid all protests as a routine security precaution and to mitigate associated disruptions. Heed instructions from security services and leave the area at the first sign of a confrontation. Check for disruptions and allow extra time for travel in the affected areas.