02.12.2024 19:30
Following the suspension of EU accession negotiations in Georgia, opposition leader Zurab Japaridze was detained during the protest demonstrations that began.
After the suspension of the European Union (EU) accession negotiations in our neighboring country Georgia, the squares turned into a battlefield. Opposition leader Zurab Japaridze, who was among the crowd gathered for the rally in front of the Parliament, was detained.
PROTESTERS GATHERED IN FRONT OF THE PARLIAMENT
Protests in Georgia intensified after the government announced last week that it had suspended EU accession negotiations. Protesters gathered again last night on Rustaveli Avenue in central Tbilisi. While some launched fireworks at the police, the police responded with water cannons and tear gas. Later, the police ended the conflict by finally dispersing the protesters from the parliament building.
OPPOSITION LEADER DETAINED
The "Coalition for Change," a coalition formed by the country's opposition parties, announced in a social media post that their leader Zurab Japaridze was detained by the police early this morning while leaving the rally. In the footage shared on social media, Japaridze was seen being put into a car without a license plate by masked police officers. It is still unclear whether any charges will be brought against him.
Political scientists view this move by the Georgian government as a confirmation of a shift away from pro-Western policies under the influence of Russia; however, the ruling party denied this.
113 PEOPLE INJURED SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE EVENTS
The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that 21 police officers were injured during the protests that lasted throughout the night, stating that a total of 113 people have been injured since the beginning of the events. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze accused the opposition of applying "coordinated violence" aimed at overthrowing the constitutional order.
THE US AND EU EXPRESS CONCERN OVER GEORGIA'S "DEMOCRATIC BACKSLIDING"
The US and EU expressed concern over the situation in Georgia, a country with a population of 3.7 million located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia and once part of the Soviet Union, which they described as "democratic backsliding." Moscow denied interfering in Georgia's internal affairs, while former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warned yesterday that Georgia is "rapidly heading towards a dark abyss on the path of Ukraine," stating, "Generally, such things end very badly." Since the start of the latest protests, dozens of protesters have been injured, and the US condemned the excessive use of force by the police.
ZOUBARICHVILI: THIS IS A REBELLION OF AN ENTIRE COUNTRY
Supporting the protesters, pro-EU Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili stated that many of those detained suffered head and facial injuries due to beatings. In an interview with a French news agency, Zourabichvili said, "This is a rebellion of an entire country."
Zourabichvili also called for pressure on the constitutional court to annul the elections won by the ruling party, Georgian Dream, last month. Both the opposition and Zourabichvili alleged that the elections were rigged. Zourabichvili, whose powers are largely symbolic, claimed that she would not resign when her term ends this month because the parliament that will choose her successor is illegitimate.
The election commission reported that the voting was fair. Prime Minister Kobakhidze stated yesterday that "Zourabichvili is reacting emotionally to the opposition's electoral defeat and will have to leave the presidential palace at the end of the month."
AT LEAST FOUR GEORGIAN AMBASSADORS HAVE RESIGNED
Hundreds of diplomats and civil servants signed open letters protesting the decision to suspend negotiations with the EU and not to receive any funds from the bloc for four years. At least four Georgian ambassadors have resigned.
In Georgia, tensions have been rising for months due to the ruling party, Georgian Dream, passing laws restricting "foreign agents" and "LGBTQ+ rights." Georgian Dream claims to act to protect the country's sovereignty against foreign interventions and to prevent the West from dragging the country into a war with Russia.