Supporters of ex-president Saakashvili protest in Georgia

Supporters of former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili are staging protests in Tbilisi and Batumi.

Footage from the protests are broadcast by local TV channels, TASS reports.

In Tbilisi, the rally began in front of the government building. It is attended by leaders of the opposition party "United National Movement" (UNM), founded by Saakashvili, as well as more than 100 supporters of the former president. The protesters are demanding that Saakashvili, who is serving a prison sentence, be released for treatment. The protesters have now headed towards the office of the ruling party Georgian Dream - Democratic Georgia, which is nearby.

Supporters of the former president have also gathered in Batumi near the government building of the Adjara Autonomous Republic. No incidents have been recorded in either city so far.

On February 6, the Tbilisi City Court rejected the request of the ex-president's lawyers to release him for health reasons. During more than 10 sessions, doctors and experts, including foreign ones, appeared as witnesses who stated that the former head of state had many diseases. The position of Georgian authorities is that Saakashvili is faking.