Tensions spiked in Tbilisi on January 12 when thousands of protesters gathered outside the Babilo restaurant in the city’s northern outskirts where a gathering of judges, including those involved in overseeing the cases of those arrested during the ongoing pro-EU protests in Georgia, were attending a festive corporate party.

The judges' celebration came after two days of court hearings on January 10 and 11 involving 19 young people detained during recent streets demonstrations in Tbilisi who are accused of “group violence” and face potential long prison terms.

While none have admitted guilt, the Tbilisi City Court postponed their trials until March and rejected defence motions for their release on bail, triggering a massive public backlash and allegations from legal experts of judicial corruption and unlawful and politically motivated decision making.

Judges arriving at the restaurant around 3pm were confronted by the parents of the detainees blocking the doors and chanting “Slaves!” and “Judges everywhere, justice nowhere”. Judges had to crawl under a banner that protesters had put up at the entrance stating that “A corrupt judiciary undermines democracy and violates human rights”. Some dinner guests attempted to enter the venue by side or back doors, where they were also met by protesters.

“Yesterday they did the show [in court] and today they are partying. How can they look their children in the eye? Shame on every judge,” said Nargiz Davitadze, the mother of detained Zviad Tsetskhladze, as reported by online national outlet Civil.ge.

Many in Georgia view the judiciary as the chief enforcers of the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party’s tactics of repression, which have ramped up in recent months amid continuous street rallies in response to GD’s announcement on November 28 that Georgia would be suspending its EU accession bid until 2028. Hundreds were arrested during December with many suffering brutal treatment at the hands of law enforcers.

Among the judges in attendance at the New Year event was Levan Murusidze, a prominent figure in Georgia’s so-called “judicial clan”, sanctioned by the US over corruption allegations. Murusidze was seen repeatedly leaving the restaurant to help his colleagues push through the demonstrators to gain entry to the building.

Reports suggest that party guests were forced to order food via Yandex Delivery, after concerns spread that the Babilo restaurant staff might serve them unhygienic food or spit in their servings as an act of protest.

Thousands more demonstrators soon arrived to support the family members of the detained outside the restaurant. A heavy police presence was deployed on the scene in response. Demonstrators threw eggs at some of the judges who left the restaurant early or couldn’t gain access, demanding the release of those arrested during protests.

At around 8pm Georgian time, one of the judges in attendance, chairman of the Sachkhere District Court, Ivane Kipiani, attempted to board a bus after being heavily egged as he left the venue, but the bus doors did not open. The judge looked highly uncomfortable as protesters and journalists pressed in on him from all sides.

Just after 8:30pm police began to make violent arrests in front of the restaurant. According to Georgian outlet JamNews, nine protesters were arrested following clashes between police and demonstrators throughout the evening.

Among those detained was activist Nutsa Makharadze, who lost consciousness after she was forcibly grabbed by several police officers.

By 11pm, representatives from the Interior Ministry Special Tasks Department and a water cannon mobilised outside Babilo to hold back protesters from the entrance and ensure the safe passage of the remaining judges out of the building. Media were blocked from filming the guests as they boarded a bus which had been specially brought to the restaurant.

12 January was the 46^th consecutive day of demonstrations in Georgia. Protesters continue to demand the release of all those unlawfully detained during the ongoing pro-EU protests as well as a new round of parliamentary elections following widespread allegations that GD rigged the October 2024 vote and formed an illegitimate majority government.