The family members of those detained during the protests are addressing the management of the Georgian Public Broadcaster with several requests and note that they are deprived of the opportunity to address citizens on the air of the Public Broadcaster.

As the family members note, "the cases of prisoners of conscience, their legal status, the struggle of their families and the broad interest of society are an issue of particular public importance."

"Today, we, the parents and family members of prisoners of conscience, appeal to the Director General of the Georgian Public Broadcaster, the Board of Trustees and the public.

For more than a year and a half, we have been practically deprived of the opportunity to address the citizens of the country on the air of the Public Broadcaster. During this time, our voice has not been heard on the broadcaster, which is financed by taxes paid by the citizens of Georgia and, therefore, belongs to the entire society and not to any political force or government.

According to the law on the “Public Broadcaster”, the Public Broadcaster is obliged to fully, impartially and objectively cover events of importance to society, ensure the presentation of different opinions and protect the right of the public to receive complete information.

The cases of prisoners of conscience, their legal status, the struggle of their families and the broad interest of society undoubtedly represent an issue of special public importance. Ignoring this topic contradicts the principles on which the Public Broadcaster should be based.

Our first demand is that our briefing today be covered on the Public Broadcaster and that the public hear our demands.

Our second demand is to hold an official working meeting between us and the leadership of the Public Broadcaster in the near future.

Our third demand is to allow the parents and family members of prisoners of conscience and political prisoners to talk live on this channel, so that we can also reach the public with our voice. So that, given the closure of court hearings, we can also provide the Georgian population with information about our children, family members, and their cases.

Fourth - we appeal to the Board of Trustees of the Public Broadcaster to schedule a meeting and answer our questions: Why has the Public Broadcaster never covered our activities? Why we have not been given airtime?

We are not asking for special treatment. We are only asking for what belongs to every citizen of Georgia - equal access to the Public Broadcaster, the opportunity to express one’s own position, and the right to inform the public.

We are waiting for a response today in front of the Public Broadcaster building...

We call on all our supporters to express their position, whether we deserve and belong to live broadcast on the Public Broadcaster after a year and a half of tireless struggle...

We believe that a true Public Broadcaster is obliged to serve the public, protect the public interest and not leave any important issue in the shadows.

Today we demand the fulfillment of this responsibility," they note in the statement.