Protests in Tbilisi: Security forces prepare water cannons and mobilize special forces near parliament
Protests in Georgia (illustrative photo: Getty Images)
On the evening of December 1, demonstrators rally against the government's decision to freeze negotiations on the country's accession to the European Union until 2028 in Rustaveli Square in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi. Security forces are deployed nearby and water cannons are brought in, reports Sova.
It is noted that protesters on Rustaveli Avenue near the parliament building blocked traffic.
According to the Georgian media, a special forces unit was mobilized in the area of Freedom Square, in particular near the monument to St. George the Victorious.
Water cannons were also seen there, prepared by law enforcement officers, probably to be used during the next dispersal of the rally.
The police cordon stands on two streets (Chitadze and Chichinadze) located on both sides of the parliament building.
Below them, a rally is taking place, which has gathered a large number of demonstrators.
According to Echo of the Caucasus, some of the protesters moved from the parliament building on Rustaveli Street to the Public Broadcaster. The road was blocked there, and the action continued.
The activists are not using fireworks systematically, as they did on the night of December 1. Then the demonstrators launched fireworks in the direction of the security forces, who used water cannons during an attempt to disperse the protesters.
Police officers and protesters on Rustaveli Square in Tbilisi on the evening of December 1 (photo: sovanews.tv)
Police officers and protesters on Rustaveli Square in Tbilisi on the evening of December 1 (photo: sovanews.tv)
Police officers and protesters on Rustaveli Square in Tbilisi on the evening of December 1 (photo: sovanews.tv)
Protests in Georgia
Earlier it was reported that on November 28, mass protests began in a number of Georgian cities, including Tbilisi, after the Prime Minister's statement that the government was abandoning negotiations on the country's accession to the EU by 2028.
The protests in Tbilisi were dispersed by security forces, including with the use of smoke bombs, tear gas, and water cannons. Dozens of activists were injured.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine condemned the violent dispersal of protests in Georgia.
Read RBC-Ukraine's article about the current situation in the Georgian capital amid mass protests.
