Nika Gvaramia, founder of the opposition party Ahali and leader of the Coalition for Change, was arrested on Wednesday during a police search of the Girchi-Droa office in Tbilisi. The arrest took place at 16:45, following Gvaramia’s request to be present as a lawyer during the search conducted by representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Witnesses report that Gvaramia’s detention involved the use of force. After an altercation with police officers, he was thrown to the ground and forcibly dragged to an unmarked vehicle.
Shortly afterward, Gela Khasaia, a member of the Coalition for Change and activist, was also detained near the same location on Pikris Gora, Luarsab Sharashidze Street.
Earlier in the day, MIA representatives conducted searches in the offices of several opposition parties, including the United National Movement, Girchi, Droa, and Ahali. These developments come amid ongoing mass protests, which have entered their seventh consecutive day, demanding government resignation and new parliamentary elections.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has defended the government’s actions, stating, “even the leaders of wealthy NGOs hiding in their offices will not be able to escape legal responsibility.”
The protests were sparked by the Georgian Dream government’s recent decision to delay EU membership negotiations and budget grants until 2028, further fueling public discontent. Demonstrators continue to rally in front of the parliament building, with tensions escalating between protesters and law enforcement.
