Tensions Escalate in Georgia as Pro-EU Protests Lead to Mass Detentions
On November 29, Tbilisi witnessed a massive pro-European Union rally that resulted in the detainment of more than 100 individuals by Georgian police. The authorities utilized water cannons and tear gas to disperse the demonstrations, leading to a chaotic scene. The Interior Ministry reported that 107 demonstrators were arrested on charges of hooliganism and for not complying with police orders. Allegations of verbal and physical assaults against police officers emerged, as well as claims that protesters threw various objects at the authorities.
Videos circulating from the event depicted the police engaging in aggressive tactics against the protesters. This unrest follows Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's announcement on November 28, wherein he stated that the government would suspend EU accession talks and reject budgetary grants from Brussels until 2028. This decision has sparked significant public outcry, leading to the protests that have continued to escalate.
In the initial night of protests, 43 demonstrators were arrested due to what the Interior Ministry described as illegal and violent actions. The ongoing turmoil in Georgia has been brewing since the October parliamentary elections, during which the ruling Georgian Dream party secured 54% of the votes. However, opposition groups and Western governments have criticized the election process, alleging it was tainted by irregularities and influenced by Russia.
In response to the government's crackdown, President Salome Zurabishvili, a vocal critic of the Georgian Dream party, condemned the violence against citizens and media. She likened the state’s response to the protests to repressive tactics seen in Russia. The President called on the Georgian diaspora to mobilize support for the protesters, urging them to become vocal and engage with the media regarding the situation in their homeland.
Moreover, the European Parliament responded to the political crisis by passing a resolution demanding new legislative elections in Georgia. They have also proposed sanctions against high-ranking officials within the ruling Georgian Dream party, including Prime Minister Kobakhidze and party chairman Irakli Gharibashvili. The resolution emphasized that the results of the recent elections did not accurately represent the will of the Georgian people, further intensifying international attention on the situation.
With the protests ongoing and civil unrest palpable, the international community watches closely as Georgia faces pivotal challenges in its political landscape.
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