Actors, comedians and theatre workers have united in protest, refusing to perform and striking in solidarity with 11 activists arrested during recent demonstrations. Across Georgia, theatres are either silent or actively supporting the protests, with many artists choosing to forego their craft as an act of defiance against what they see as an illegitimate regime. 

Actors and other artistes have long played a role in Georgia’s political scene, and several leaders of the ongoing wave of protests — which have taken place daily for almost 50 days — emerged from the cultural sphere, including figures from theatre, film, literature and music. The protests were initially sparked by Georgia’s October general election, which opposition politicians and protesters say was rigged, but intensified when Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that Georgia was putting its EU accession process on hold. 

The Theatre Workers’ Union GUILD announced a nationwide strike on December 4, with a significant portion of the country’s prominent actors and performers participating. Giga Bekauri, the union’s founder, explained: “Theatres and people working in theatre have always had a special role in Georgia’s political landscape. In recent times, their resistance has taken on new dimensions.”

Bekauri highlighted the historical importance of theatre in Georgia, describing how it has often acted as a cultural and political cornerstone for the country. “This naturally extends to defending both their rights and the nation’s rights,” he said. The union’s decision to strike reflects the growing recognition among artists that their roles transcend performance, reconnecting art with its fundamental societal purpose. 

Niniko Lekishvili and other members of the stand-up comedy community, including the Stand-Up Tbilisi collective, have joined the strike, cancelling performances in solidarity. “Our stage was stolen from us, and we are in this fight together,” said Lekishvili, adding that comedians and performers plan to join a theatre-led march on January 14 to raise awareness of their demands. “Since the protests started, we have not done any stand-up shows. We are also kind of on strike,” she explained. The performative arts community has joined broader movements, including the upcoming theatre march on January 14, to demand justice for those they see as prisoners of the regime. “Our stage was stolen from us, and we are in this fight together,” she concluded.

This resistance is not limited to professional theatres. At the Shota Rustaveli Theater and Film University, students have held an overnight protest for more than two weeks. Among their demands is the resignation of rector Giorgi Shalutashvili.

The significant role of theatre and its workers in Georgia’s political processes is not new. “There are countless examples of this, and I won’t list them all,” Bekauri said. By refusing to perform, theatre workers and artists are leveraging their cultural influence to spotlight injustices and unite people across sectors.

The striking artists, supported by a union-established fund, face challenges ranging from financial instability to targeted persecution. “We have witnessed a series of unjust detentions, physical violence, and even targeted persecution against actors. This is deliberate persecution of anyone who thinks differently,” Bekauri said.

As theatres remain silent and the streets resonate with demands for justice, Georgia’s artistic community continues to inspire broader resistance, highlighting the powerful connection between culture and social change.

Actors on trial 

Outside the Tbilisi City Court on January 10, this unity was palpable as actors, relatives and supporters gathered to demand justice for 11 individuals detained on charges of participating in group violence. Among the accused are actor Andro Chichinadze and comedian Onise Tskhadadze, two prominent figures whose detentions have become rallying points for the movement.

The trial attracted widespread attention as the court ruled to that the detainees will be kept in custody until their postponed trial. Advocates had called for their release, arguing that the charges were unjust and politically motivated. However, the prosecution successfully argued for the continuation of pretrial detention, citing the severity of the accusations. “This was one of the most emotional days of the protest,” said Lekishvili. “These cases were united under the charge of group violence, but there was no actual evidence against any of these people or that they were working as a group.” 

The detainees — Chichinadze, Tskhadadze, Jano Archaia, Ruslan Sivakov, Luka Jabua, Guram Mirtskhulava, Valeri Tetrashvili, Giorgi Terishvili, Irakli Kerashvili, Revaz Kinadze and Sergey Kukharchuk — were charged under Part 2 of Article 225 of the Georgian Criminal Code, which pertains to participation in group violence. If convicted, they face prison sentences of four to six years.

Lekishvili recounted the lengthy hearing, which lasted until evening as 15 lawyers addressed the court in defence of the detainees. Each of the accused had the opportunity to speak, all pleading not guilty to what they called fabricated charges. However, despite the lack of evidence, the judge ruled to keep the detainees in custody until their postponed trial. “Even before the hearing, we all felt the decision had already been pre-made,” she said.

The prosecution alleged Tskhadadze was the leader of a group planning to attack the government. “Obviously, Onise is one of the comedians, and I represent the stand-up comedy community,” said Lekishvili.

Outside the courthouse, emotions ran high as the verdict was announced. Family and friends expressed outrage, calling the trial a sham. Protesters accused the police stationed at the court of mocking them, with officers laughing at those visibly distressed by the unjust outcome.

A symbol of resistance

One of the detainees, Chichinadze, is a famous Georgian actor who has become a symbol of the broader struggle against perceived injustices in Georgia. His lawyer described him as “the collective face of the fight against lawlessness”, representing those who had been unlawfully imprisoned in during the ongoing wave of political unrest.

“This battle will undoubtedly end in victory,” the lawyer declared in an impassioned interview with PalitraNews’ Résumé programme. The lawyer also highlighted systemic issues, including a lack of accountability within law enforcement. “While protesters were being arrested, not a single member of law enforcement faced punishment. This created a pervasive sense of insecurity and undermined trust in the state to protect its citizens.”

The Tbilisi City Court is currently reviewing 38 criminal cases related to participants in the protests in November and December. These cases involve charges of organising or participating in group violence, assaulting police officers, and property damage. Despite multiple appeals, the court has only replaced detention with bail in two instances.

Since March 2024, over 50 individuals have been arrested on criminal charges related to protests. According to Fatia Chafichadze, an advocate monitoring the cases, “It is clear that most of the prosecution's motions demanding pretrial detention were unfounded. The individual characteristics of the defendants were not considered, nor could prosecutors substantiate the risks associated with allowing these individuals to remain free. In connection to the latest protests, nearly 40 individuals have faced criminal charges. This marks a growing trend of criminal prosecution linked to demonstrations, a pattern not previously observed in earlier protests.”

Another of the detainees is Vepkhia Kasradze, a war veteran who fought against Russian aggression in Georgia. He has been charged with organising and leading group violence.

“He doesn’t say, ‘I’m a prisoner’; he says, ‘I’m a hostage.’ This is a man of dignity who fought for Georgia’s territorial integrity, and is now imprisoned without any legal basis. Not only in Vepkhia’s case but in other protest-related detentions, the prosecution has struggled to present solid evidence,” said his lawyer, Kaha Kozhoridze.

Allegations of abuse and impunity

Reports of excessive force and administrative fines against protesters have fueled public outrage. According to activists, some detainees suffered severe injuries, preventing them from attending court proceedings. Meanwhile, no meaningful investigations into misconduct by law enforcers have been launched, leading many to question the impartiality of Georgia’s justice system.

“This silence is deafening,” the lawyer continued. “The lack of accountability spoke volumes and raised serious questions about the state of democracy and human rights in Georgia.”

As the court concluded its decision to keep the detainees in custody, the public continued to rally in their defence, framing the case as a litmus test for justice and the rule of law in Georgia. The outcome of the trial held far-reaching implications — not only for the 11 individuals charged but also for the country’s democratic trajectory. Chichinadze and his co-defendants have become became symbols of resistance against what many see as an increasingly repressive regime. Their supporters have vowed to keep up the pressure.