**Georgia’s President Fined for Participating in Protest**
Georgia’s President Salome Zurabishvili has been fined 5,000 GEL (around $1,800 USD) for allegedly blocking the road during a rally of mothers of detained protesters on Tbilisi’s Rustaveli Avenue. The incident occurred on March 3, which is Mother’s Day in Georgia.
According to reports, hundreds of protesters have been fined under Article 174 of the Code of Administrative Offenses for “blocking the road”. Watchdog groups have criticized this article as being used to intimidate protesters and suppress dissent. To avoid identification, many demonstrators wore face masks during the protests.
President Zurabishvili’s fine was issued under the same provision, sparking public debate and attention. In a Facebook post, she wrote that she has been “baptized as an activist” today, standing alongside mothers of prisoners of conscience.
**Georgia’s Ongoing Protests**
Anti-regime protests in Georgia continue to escalate, with demonstrators demanding a rerun of the parliamentary elections and the release of those arrested during the rallies. The protests have approached their 200th consecutive day since the Georgian Dream government made a major foreign policy shift, abandoning the country’s efforts to join the EU.
President Zurabishvili’s participation in the protest has sparked debate about her role as head of state. While some see it as a sign of solidarity with the protesters, others view it as a breach of protocol and a display of partisanship.
**What’s Next?**
The ongoing protests are likely to continue, with demonstrators demanding significant changes from the government. The fine issued to President Zurabishvili may be seen as an attempt to intimidate her and undermine her support for the protesters. However, it is also possible that this incident may galvanize public opinion and further mobilize supporters of the protest movement.
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