Tense Situation in Tbilisi as Protesters Block Entrance to Restaurant

In Georgia, parents, friends, activists, and concerned citizens of young people arrested during protests are currently blocking the entrance of a restaurant where Georgian judges are gathering for a corporate dinner. Local media reports this situation.

The protesters have brought photos of the arrested individuals and are chanting 'slaves' towards the guests. One participant of the protest stated in an interview with the media, 'Periodically, Levan Murusidze, the judge of the 'judicial clan,' who was sanctioned by the U.S. State Department last year for corruption charges, appears from the restaurant and helps incoming colleagues navigate through the crowd of demonstrators to enter the building.'

This incident follows two days of court hearings regarding 19 participants of the protests, who are accused of 'participating in group violence.' The Tbilisi City Court has rejected their defense's request for release on bail, keeping them in custody. In total, more than 30 people are facing charges related to violence during the protests. None of the accused accept guilt, considering themselves political prisoners. Their release is one of the main demands raised during ongoing mass protests in Tbilisi and other cities in the country.