Students rally against the Georgian government

TBILISI, DFWatch–Students protested in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi on June 14, expressing both anger over instances of injustice domestically as well as how the country has become a target of international criticism.

Outside Tbilisi State University, demonstrators condemned the recent sentencing of student activist Mate Devadze, who received four and a half years in prison for actions during an earlier protest. There was a brief standoff as demonstrators hesitated to follow police orders to vacate the street, but eventually relocating to the sidewalk, avoiding large-scale clashes.

Meanwhile, another protest took place outside the Polish embassy, where students demanded an apology from Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Tusk recently urged the EU to consider suspending visa-free travel for Georgians, citing concerns over authoritarian governance and migration-related public safety issues. His remarks have sparked outrage among Georgians who view such moves as collective punishment for government actions.

The student demonstrations come amid broader unrest in Georgia, where opposition leaders, journalists, and civil society figures have faced increasing legal pressure. The jailing of media executive and opposition leader Nika Gvaramia earlier this week further fueled tensions. Critics argue the ruling Georgian Dream party is using the judiciary to silence dissent and hamper democratic rights, bringing into question the legitimacy upcoming local elections.

The student protests were welcomed by opposition figures, but Georgian Dream officials dismissed the protests as part of a wider opposition posturing.