Georgia turmoil: Protests over delayed EU talks intensify

In downtown Tbilisi, during the night from Thursday to Friday, violent clashes erupted between the police and protesters opposing the suspension of talks about Georgia joining the European Union until 2028. Human rights defenders accuse the police of using disproportionate force.

Protesters gathered in front of the Georgian parliament to express their opposition to the government's decision to delay integration with the EU. The demonstrations turned into riots. The Echo of the Caucasus service reports that Rustaveli Avenue resembles a battlefield.

The police have used not only water cannons but also tear gas, prompting protesters to build barricades and start fires in an attempt to defend themselves. By morning, there were mass arrests of those who refused to leave the demonstration site.

The Young Lawyers Association is demanding explanations regarding the chemical agents used by the police. According to reports, officers used a mixture of water with chemical substances, which caused burns to the faces and bodies of many protest participants.

Clashes are taking place amid social dissatisfaction with the government's decision to suspend talks on joining the European Union until 2028.

Human rights defenders warn that the Ministry of Internal Affairs is using disproportionate force against demonstrators. Approximately ten journalists from various outlets were injured during the police intervention.