Shocked by brutal attacks on Georgian civic & political activists

Concerned by targeting ordinary citizens & civil society by phone calls, posters labelling individuals as “Agents”

Norway stands by Georgians protecting their democracy, incl by protesting “foreign influence law”

Reports are spreading that a group of morning and entertainment show anchors have quit their jobs at pro-government Imedi TV amid gov't-led unrest and violence related to reintroduction of the foreign agents law.

Saba Brachveli, lawyer, says that a large number of weapons displayed are in fact airsoft guns, plus legally registered firearms. A similar statement was made earlier by Abashidze's brother. The way the search was conducted also raises fears of deliberate planting of evidence.

On Europe Day, my message to Georgia and the Georgian people is clear.

The EU fully supports your desire for a democratic and free society based on the rule of law.

This is the path to the EU and our shared future. This is the path the EU will support your country on.

President Salome Zurabishvili and EU Ambassador Paweł Herczyński spoke at two different events marking Europe Day. Despite invitations, ruling party members were conspicuously absent from celebrations. civil.ge/archives/604930

Two more representatives of political opposition were targetted in what appears to be an orchestrated campaign of group violence against critics of #foreignagentslaw civil.ge/archives/605073

Ucha Abashidze, military blogger and an activist against the Foreign Agents bill, was arrested by police on May 9 for allegedly illegally purchasing and storing weapons and ammunition. civil.ge/archives/605054

Nodar Chachanidze, a member of the opposition Ahali party, also reported being physically assaulted by a group of men. Both Chachanidze and Kurua were attacked after leaving Formula TV, where they took part in a talk show discussion.

Police confronted and detained protesters as they marched on Chavchavadze Avenue and blocked traffic following the arrest of military blogger Ucha Abashidze.

Boris Chele Kurua, a member of the opposition Girchi - More Freedom party, was also beaten by a group of assailants as cases of violence against government critics mount.
📷 Girchi - More Freedom

Police continue to guard the blogger's apartment without allowing any contact. Some officers were seen leaving the apartment with wrapped items, possibly hardware.

Protesters are gathering at the apartment of military blogger Ucha Abashidze, who is reportedly being held incommunicado by police at his home. Activists call on police officers not to carry out illegal orders. #TbilisiProtests

📹 Anano Asatiani

People gather at Tbilisi's Orbeliani Palace, where President Salome Zurabishvili holds a ceremony to mark #EuropeDay2024 . European diplomats are in attendance, government officials were conspicuously absent from celebrations today.

Heavy police presence at the apartment of military blogger Ucha Abashidze, who is reportedly being held by police at his home and prevented from contacting a lawyer. A group of activists is also gathering there. #TbilisiProtests
📷 Anano Asatiani

Protesters gather in different locations today. Some are attending President-organized event to mark #EuropeDay , others headed to the apartment of Ucha Abashidze, a blogger reportedly held by police at his home. Some went to court hearings of those already detained.

#Tbilisiprotests continue. Protesters against #foreignagentslaw gather again on Rustaveli Avenue amid growing physical violence & intimidation against government critics. A larger rally is planned for May 11.

📷 Anano Asatiani