Protests in Georgia: First night without dispersals, detentions of activists continue
Photo: The first night of protests in Tbilisi in a week was without dispersal (Getty Images)
In Tbilisi last night, for the first time in a week of mass pro-European protests, there were no large-scale clashes between demonstrators and police. However, detentions did take place, NewsGeorgia reports.
Another protest action that took place near the Georgian parliament building ended without the use of water cannons, tear gas, or other means of suppression, which was an exception against the background of previous days of protest.
However, it is reported that Georgian police did detain two people after a dispute on Chichinadze Street.
Three more demonstrators were detained near the Liberty Square metro station during searches. A statement by law enforcement officials said that the detainees were allegedly found to have prohibited items.
The protesters dispersed around 4 a.m. local time after moving to Republic Square.
Protests in Georgia
After the victory of the pro-Russian Georgian Dream party led by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze in October, on November 29, the European Union's Ambassador to Georgia, Pawel Herczynski, commented for the first time on the situation in Georgia after the Prime Minister's statement about postponing the process of European integration until 2028.
Herczynski emphasized that this decision contradicts the aspirations of the majority of Georgians and the policy declared by the Georgian authorities.
In addition, mass protests began in Georgia in late November. The reason for this was not only the postponement of the EU accession negotiations but also the results of the October elections and the country's general course, which had changed significantly.
Following the government's decision, police and security forces constantly dispersed protests in Tbilisi, using force and special means. Hundreds of people were detained, and attacks on demonstrators and journalists were reported.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs explains the actions of law enforcement officers as a response to violence on the part of protesters. However, human rights organizations and the ombudsman said that violence was used even against peaceful protesters.
In its turn, the EU has announced the suspension of Georgia's accession to the Union. For more details, see RBC-Ukraine's article.
Yesterday, on December 4, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy joined the decision of countries that announced sanctions against the Georgian government, which violates civil rights and brutalizes activists and the opposition.
