• Anti-government activists will hold a protest outside the Tbilisi City Court at 10:30 (local time) on February 18.
• Likewise, protests are slated outside the Court of Appeals at 17:00 and outside the Parliament at 20:00 on February 18.
• These protests will mark the 448th day of continuous demonstrations against the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party for its alleged anti-EU stance and perceived disproportionate crackdown on dissent.

1. Turnout in the slated protests is likely to range between high dozens to low hundreds, given the precedent observed at similar anti-GD protests across Tbilisi. The turnout is liable to increase given anticipated dissatisfaction among protesters over a new bill introduced in the Georgian Parliament on February 16 that seeks to penalize activities perceived as undermining the government’s legitimacy. As per standard security protocols, the authorities are liable to bolster security measures in the vicinity of the aforementioned locations, given the sensitivity of the location. These measures will likely include the deployment of additional police personnel and setting up barricades to monitor the proceedings.
2. There remains an increased risk of clashes between the demonstrators and security personnel, given the authorities’ low tolerance threshold for anti-GD gatherings. If the protesters are perceived to be engaging in disruptive activities such as breaching security protocols, blocking major thoroughfares, or pedestrian zones, the authorities will likely employ forcible dispersal measures, including forcible removal from the protest site, temporary detentions, and baton charges to quell the unrest. In extreme cases of unrest, such as protestors employing fireworks at the security forces, the use of water cannons or tear gas cannot be ruled out. Significant disruptions to pedestrian and vehicular travel are anticipated in the vicinity of the aforementioned locations due to the expected turnout and related security measures on February 18.

Those operating or residing in Tbilisi on February 18 are advised to avoid the vicinity of the aforementioned locations due to the slated protests and associated high risk of clashes, while allotting for travel disruptions.