Georgia erupts in protest over EU talks and police crackdown
Georgians are protesting on the streets of their cities once again. Supporters of European integration, who are displeased with the prime minister's decision to suspend talks with the EU, have taken to the streets. A viral internet video features an elderly woman's speech in which she criticizes heavily armed police officers. "Whose millions and palaces are you protecting?" the woman asked.
8:53 PM EST, November 29, 2024
In the capital, thousands of residents took to the streets, and similar scenes were witnessed in Batumi and Kutaisi. Georgians are now protesting not only against the alleged falsification of the October parliamentary elections by the ruling Georgian Dream party but also against the alleged corruption in the country's elections.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's decision to suspend accession talks with the European Union until 2028 and reject European grants has also sparked discontent. This decision was made following the European Parliament's call for EU sanctions against the Georgian prime minister. MEPs questioned the parliamentary election results and called for a rerun. Russia was also condemned for interfering in the Georgian elections.
According to "Belsat," this has sparked outrage among supporters of European integration, leading to mass protests in Tbilisi and other cities across Georgia. Demonstrations in the capital were met with forceful police response. Prime Minister Kobakhidze thanked the police for defending the state's system.
The police reportedly used a mixture of water and chemicals. Many people were injured, and human rights organizations are demanding details on exactly what the police used in their clashes with citizens.
According to official data, 43 people were detained, and dozens of protesters were injured, including about 20 journalists, as reported by Georgian media.
A symbolic recording was made of an elderly woman who, without fear, spoke to the armed special forces officers, urging them to reflect on their actions against their compatriots. The portal Belsat published the video on social media.
Georgian against Georgian. What could be more humiliating? If I figured it out, why can't you? Whose millions and palaces are you protecting? Georgian Dream has been in power for 12 years. Where did they come from? Who raised them? - the elderly woman said to the armed police officers.
