Crimean Tatar Edem Smailov, serving a 13-year sentence in Correctional Colony No. 1 in Kostroma, has been unable to receive adequate medical care for almost a year. Since his transfer to the colony in January 2025, his request for a dental consultation has remained unanswered.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, along with the opposition parties, did not recognize the results of the parliamentary elections held on October 26. She declared them "total falsification" and called on the population not to recognize the results of the vote either. In addition, Zurabishvili announced a protest action near the parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue on October 28 at 19:00.
Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili also called on the opposition to "a big protest."
"Of course, no one should enter the parliament! Now is the time for big protests to show the world that we are fighting for freedom and that we are a people who will not tolerate injustice," the arrested former president wrote.
According to the results of ballot processing, the ruling Georgian Dream party received 53.92% of the votes. Four opposition parties received a total of 37.78% of the votes: Coalition of Changes – 11.04%, Unity – National Movement – 10.16%, Strong Georgia – 8.81%, Gakharia – for Georgia – 7.77%.
Abroad, the majority voted for the opposition in the Georgian parliamentary elections. The four opposition parties that overcame the barrier and entered parliament received a total of 77.2% of the votes, while the ruling Georgian Dream received 13.32%.