On October 30, 2001, representatives of the State Security Service raided the offices of the television company Rustavi 2. A criminal case was launched against the broadcaster, and authorities demanded financial documentation. The channel’s leadership refused, calling it political pressure. In response, a protest to defend freedom of speech and support Rustavi 2 began in front of the station’s offices. The demonstration then moved to the State Chancellery the next day and later to Parliament.

Students, media representatives, NGOs, parliamentarians, and ordinary citizens gathered, demanding the resignations of Interior Minister Kakha Targamadze and Prosecutor General Gia Meparishvili. A large number of MPs joined this demand. At the mass rally in front of Parliament, Speaker Zurab Zhvania declared: “I am ready to resign if Interior Minister Kakha Targamadze resigns.”

President Eduard Shevardnadze tried to calm the public, insisting that freedom of speech in Georgia was not under threat.

As a result of the protests, on November 1 four senior officials resigned: State Security Minister Vakhtang Kutateladze, Interior Minister Kakha Targamadze, Prosecutor General Gia Meparishvili, and Speaker of Parliament Zurab Zhvania.