Chiatura miners' protest intensifies as hunger strikers move to Tbilisi

The protest by miners from Chiatura, a mining town in western Georgia, has escalated as three hunger-striking miners relocated to the capital, Tbilisi, on Sunday. The miners, now in their 18th day of a hunger strike, are continuing their demonstration outside the Georgian government administration building.

The primary demand of the protesting miners remains the release of their detained colleagues. Four miners are currently in custody, accused of causing minor injuries to the director of the Shukruti mine.

In addition to seeking the release of the detained workers, the miners have called for Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze to personally visit Chiatura to engage directly with them and address the ongoing issues.

"We arrived at about eight o'clock in the evening and have been here since then. Three of us continue our hunger strike. The first reason for our arrival here is so that Prime Minister Kobakhidze takes responsibility for the working people, comes to Chiatura, and talks to them," said one of the hunger-striking miners.

The protesters allege that the mining company has unlawfully dismissed employees, withheld due wages, and wrongfully detained their colleagues. The situation has drawn attention to the broader issue of workers' rights in the region, with miners determined to continue their protest until their demands are met.