14
Feb 2025
7:09 UTC
Georgia Tactical: Multiple anti-government protests slated across Tbilisi on February 14-15; avoid vicinity of rallies
Current Situation:
- Multiple anti-government protests are slated across Tbilisi on February 14-15.
- A protest will be held at the Metro Technical University in Tbilisi at 13:00 (local time) on February 14.
- A gathering is slated at Vazha-Pshavela 1 in Tbilisi at 18:00 on the day.
- A protest will also be held outside the Public Broadcaster building at 19:00 on the day.
- A demonstration will be held outside the Republic Square at 20:00 on the day.
- Employees belonging to the IT, engineering, and media sectors are slated to hold a demonstration at Rustaveli Avenue at 20:00 on February 14.
- A gathering will also be held at the Monument of Ilia and Akaki at 21:00 on the day.
- Separately, a rally will be held from Europe Square to Freedom Square in Tbilisi at 18:00 on February 15.
- These protests are held in response to the alleged anti-democratic policies of the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party, such as the November 2024 announcement to halt talks with the EU until 2028 and the perceived crackdown on protesters and opposition party members. The protesters will also demand fresh parliamentary elections.
Assessments & Forecast:
- The turnout at the slated gatherings is likely to range in the mid-to-high dozens, given participation trends recorded at previous protests in the city. Greater participation reaching up to the mid-hundreds will likely be witnessed at the Public Broadcaster building, given the daily occurrence of demonstrations at the location. The authorities are expected to implement security measures in the form of riot police deployment and barricade placement to monitor protest proceedings and minimize travel disruptions.
- The risk of clashes between the police and protesters cannot be ruled out, given the authorities’ perceived low tolerance for anti-government gatherings. Should the protesters resort to unruly behavior such as blocking major thoroughfares and launching fireworks towards the police, forcible dispersal measures such as shelling tear gas, deploying water cannons, and detention of protesters are likely. Significant travel disruptions in the vicinity of the aforementioned locations are expected during the protest hours on February 14-15 due to the anticipated turnout and associated security measures.
Recommendations:
Those operating or residing in Tbilisi on February 14-15 are advised to avoid the vicinity of the aforementioned locations due to the slated protests and associated high risk of unrest while allotting for travel disruptions.
COUNTRY RISK LEVEL
Medium
AFFECTED AREA
Tbilisi, Georgia
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL
High
STRENGTH OF SOURCE
Credible
Current Situation:
- Multiple anti-government protests are slated across Tbilisi on February 14-15.
- A protest will be held at the Metro Technical University in Tbilisi at 13:00 (local time) on February 14.
- A gathering is slated at Vazha-Pshavela 1 in Tbilisi at 18:00 on the day.
- A protest will also be held outside the Public Broadcaster building at 19:00 on the day.
- A demonstration will be held outside the Republic Square at 20:00 on the day.
- Employees belonging to the IT, engineering, and media sectors are slated to hold a demonstration at Rustaveli Avenue at 20:00 on February 14.
- A gathering will also be held at the Monument of Ilia and Akaki at 21:00 on the day.
- Separately, a rally will be held from Europe Square to Freedom Square in Tbilisi at 18:00 on February 15.
- These protests are held in response to the alleged anti-democratic policies of the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party, such as the November 2024 announcement to halt talks with the EU until 2028 and the perceived crackdown on protesters and opposition party members. The protesters will also demand fresh parliamentary elections.
Assessments & Forecast:
- The turnout at the slated gatherings is likely to range in the mid-to-high dozens, given participation trends recorded at previous protests in the city. Greater participation reaching up to the mid-hundreds will likely be witnessed at the Public Broadcaster building, given the daily occurrence of demonstrations at the location. The authorities are expected to implement security measures in the form of riot police deployment and barricade placement to monitor protest proceedings and minimize travel disruptions.
- The risk of clashes between the police and protesters cannot be ruled out, given the authorities’ perceived low tolerance for anti-government gatherings. Should the protesters resort to unruly behavior such as blocking major thoroughfares and launching fireworks towards the police, forcible dispersal measures such as shelling tear gas, deploying water cannons, and detention of protesters are likely. Significant travel disruptions in the vicinity of the aforementioned locations are expected during the protest hours on February 14-15 due to the anticipated turnout and associated security measures.
Recommendations:
Those operating or residing in Tbilisi on February 14-15 are advised to avoid the vicinity of the aforementioned locations due to the slated protests and associated high risk of unrest while allotting for travel disruptions.