Every day, thousands of Iranians march in protest against the Islamic Republic, while in Georgia—this small European country near Russia—demonstrations have been ongoing for over a year, fueled by debates over the contentious 2024 parliamentary elections.
Amid freezing temperatures and reports of violence from authorities, many Georgians draw parallels between their fight for democracy and the struggle faced by Iranians against a corrupt regime. “When you’re at the protests in Tbilisi, the main topic of discussion is Iran,” said Tinatin Kidasheli, a former defense minister. “It’s clear that despite some controversies, there’s a growing sense of hope among the people.”
As protests keep gaining momentum, the fate of Iran’s regime might hinge on its ethnic minorities.
“The situation in Iran speaks to our humanity. Seeing people oppose an oppressive regime bolsters the belief that our efforts here in Georgia are meaningful,” Kidasheli added.
Mass protests began after the pro-Russian Georgian Dream party claimed victory in the October 2024 elections, effectively halting Georgia’s EU membership aspirations. The population has long shown a desire to align more closely with Western nations, and with polls indicating strong support for EU membership, the newly elected Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s actions have ignited widespread discontent.
Protesters fill Tbilisi’s Rustaveli Street, disrupting traffic and expressing outrage that the ruling party is steering Georgia towards Russia.
One protester, Elekle Koplatadze, has been actively participating since November 2024. He was detained for six days during a protest but feels a strong connection to Iranian demonstrators, especially since unrest began in Iran over economic grievances last December. “You’ll see many people waving the lion and sun flags—the Iranian flag prior to 1979—at the parliament here in Tbilisi, and demonstrations outside the Iranian embassy,” he noted.
Koplatadze believes the violence reported in Iran resonates deeply with Georgians, creating a strong sense of empathy. “Aside from the support shown for Ukraine, I can’t recall such large protests in Tbilisi aimed at a foreign nation,” he remarked.
Ana Ryaboshenko, the co-founder of Initiative Culture for Democracy, emphasized that the situation in Iran affects not just Georgia but the entire region. “If Iran transitions from a terror-based state to a democracy, it could reshape the geopolitical landscape significantly,” she pointed out.
She highlighted the increasing ties between the Georgian Dream party—backed by Russia—and Iran since the contentious 2024 elections. A July 2025 report from Georgian NGO Civic IDEA revealed that Iranian firms and businessmen are utilizing Georgia as a route to dodge international sanctions and redirect funds to Iran, with some 13,000 Iranian companies registered in Georgia.
Marika Mikiashvili, the Foreign Minister from the Doroa party, noted the inspiration many Georgians draw from Iranian bravery. However, she also pointed out that these events serve as warnings about the necessity of swift action against authoritarianism. “Many see Iran as a cautionary tale of what could unfold if a dictatorial regime remains in power,” she cautioned.
No official statements have been made by the Georgian Dream government to support or condemn the brutal response to Iranian protests. Instead, they have tightened their grasp on power through strict anti-protest laws and have employed heavy-handed tactics against dissenters.
Human Rights Watch has recorded several laws limiting the right to peaceful assembly in Georgia, including hefty fines for protest-related infractions and harsh police practices leading to thousands of individuals being unjustly detained.
Since the election of Georgian Dream, approximately 600 people have been detained arbitrarily, 300 demonstrators faced torture and mistreatment, 1,000 citizens have been penalized for their political views, and 400 journalists have been arrested or harassed, as reported by Transparency International Georgia.
