Protest in support of Alexei Navalny held in Tbilisi
Protest in support of Alexei Navalny held in Tbilisi

The protest in support of Alexei Navalny, a Russian opposition politician, was held at the former building of Russian Embassy in Tbilisi. Protesters claimed that Navalny is a political prisoner and should be released.

The Russian occupation of Georgian and Ukrainian territories was also condemned during the protest.

“I am here to support and express solidarity to my friends in Russia. I was involved in politics in Russia. I was searched many times by the police and was pressured by law enforcers. Now I live in Georgia and try to support my friends. I see that the Kremlin and Putin threaten Georgia, Ukraine and other countries. Today we express solidarity to political prisoners who are beaten and arrested in Russia. We want Russia to be free of Putin, the Kremlin and dictatorship,” said protest participant Nikolay Lioshas.

Protests under the slogan “Freedom to Navalny!” were planned in dozens of Russian cities on Saturday.

Alexei Navalny, a Russian opposition politician returning to Moscow from Berlin, was arrested at the airport on January 17. The next day, the court sentenced Navalny to 30 days in pre-trial detention.

The Russian government has been accused of embezzling funds belonging an organization he founded, the Anti-Corruption Fund. According to the organization OVD-info, 863 protesters have been detained so far.