Protesters carry a huge national flag of Georgia, September 20.

Thousands of protesters, mostly students, took to the streets for a second day in row on September 20 to condemn prisoners’ abuse and to demand accountability of senior government officials.

Protesters, who initially gathered outside the Tbilisi State University, marched towards the prosecutor’s office.

Many participants of the rally – the largest protest of students in Georgia for many years – are calling for resignation of Interior Minister Bacho Akhalaia, who was prison system chief in 2005-2008 and who allegedly kept informally overseeing prison system up until now. Protesters were chanting “down with Akhalaia”.

In an attempt not to make the rally associated with any of the political party, participants have called against carrying of flags of any party.