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Georgia - EU
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Georgia - EU

Georgia protests, 4-5 December, 2024: Hundreds of thousands demand return to European path. Live updates, photos, videos

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Protests in Georgia against the government for EU integration

Hundreds of thousands across Georgia entered their seventh day of protests, opposing the government’s announcement to halt the country’s European Union integration process.

The demonstrations mark a new escalation in tensions between large segments of the public and the ruling party. This follows a wave of protests in October and November 2024, sparked by allegations from opposition leaders, Georgia’s president, international observers, and media outlets that the October 26 parliamentary elections were rigged, rendering the newly elected parliament and government illegitimate.

  • What triggered the protest

    On the evening of November 28, 2024, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze held a briefing following a meeting with the parliamentary majority and government team, announcing the decision to suspend EU accession talks until 2028. He justified the move by accusing the European Union of using the issue to blackmail Georgia.

    Kobakhidze’s statement came in response to a European Parliament resolution that declared the October 26 parliamentary elections fraudulent, refused to recognise their results, and called for sanctions against leaders of the ruling Georgian Dream party.

    Immediately after Kobakhidze’s briefing, spontaneous protests erupted in Tbilisi and other cities. Since then, thousands of people have taken to the streets daily, opposing Georgian Dream’s anti-European policies. Their primary demand is the scheduling of new parliamentary elections to bring about a change in power.

    Law enforcement has been using crowd control measures daily, including water cannons, tear gas, and pepper spray. Hundreds of protesters have been brutally beaten, many suffering facial injuries and varying degrees of concussion. Hundreds more, including journalists, have been detained.

    The resistance extends beyond street demonstrations. A growing movement of dissent is sweeping the country, with hundreds of employees from ministries, state institutions, judicial and medical sectors, universities, schools, theatres, and museums joining in. Several Georgian diplomats have resigned in protest against the government’s policies. Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili supports the resistance alongside opposition leaders.

  • Blinken issues statement on events in Georgia, promises new sanctions against the country's leaders

    U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a statement on Georgia, declaring that the United States is “prepared to use available tools, including additional sanctions.” Journalist Alex Raufoglu shared Blinken’s full remarks on platform X:

    “The United States has been a partner to Georgia and the Georgian people for more than 32 years.  Our partnership has been rooted in our shared love of freedom and democracy and a desire to see Georgia in the Euro-Atlantic family.  We have worked hand-in-hand with successive Georgian governments and the Georgian people to develop Georgia’s economy, improve its education system, enhance defense capabilities, and expand its health and agriculture sectors.

    The United States has been a strong supporter of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and our commitment to the brave people of Georgia and their Euro-Atlantic aspirations is ironclad. The United States strongly condemns the Georgian Dream party’s brutal and unjustified violence against Georgian citizens, protesters, members of the media, and opposition figures.

    We call on Georgian Dream to cease its repressive tactics, including its use of arbitrary detention and physical violence, to attempt to silence its critics. We are particularly concerned by reports of serious injuries sustained by people at the hands of law enforcement.  Those detained for exercising their human rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression must be released immediately, and officials responsible for the unlawful use of force must be held fully accountable.

    The United States stands in solidarity with the Georgian people and their democratic aspirations.  Those who undermine democratic processes or institutions in Georgia – including those who suppress Georgian citizens’ right to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression – will be held to account.

    In addition to continuing our previously announced comprehensive review of bilateral cooperation, the United States is now preparing to use the tools at our disposal, including additional sanctions.”

  • A list of over 100 names of special forces officers and their commanders involved in violence against protesters has been published

    The opposition TV channel Mtavari Arxi has just published a list of special forces officers and their commanders accused of violence against protesters. The list contains over 200 names. The channel stated that the information was secretly provided directly from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

  • Soloists from the Tbilisi Opera Theatre joined protesters to sing the traditional Georgian song "Shavlego" together. Video

    Video by Buta Ordzhonikidze.

  • Fireworks light up Rustaveli Avenue – video

    Media and social platforms report that authorities in Georgia have unofficially banned shops and vendors from selling fireworks and firecrackers, as they have become a key “weapon” for protesters against riot police gas and water cannons. As a result, the seventh day of protests on Rustaveli Avenue was unusually quiet. However, it seems someone still had some supplies left.

  • An impromptu concert at the protest in Tbilisi. Video

    An impromptu concert at the protest in Tbilisi reflects the creative mix of resistance tools used by demonstrators. A young man in a bright green helmet played a small drum, soon joined by someone on a real trumpet, while the crowd kept rhythm by striking the asphalt with sticks and shields prepared for defense against riot police.

    So far, the seventh night remains peaceful. It’s nearly 2 a.m., and Rustaveli Avenue is still packed with tens of thousands of people.

  • +1 in Tbilisi: protesters have lit bonfires on an avenue near the parliament to keep warm. Video

    +1 in Tbilisi: protesters have lit bonfires on an avenue near the parliament to keep warm. Volunteers are handing out hot tea in paper cups, which are also being used as fuel for the fires. Riot police are stationed on the other side of the parliament but remain inactive for now. There are no sirens, tear gas, or water cannons yet.

  • Protesters in Kutaisi brought an effigy of Bidzina Ivanishvili dressed in a prison uniform to the demonstration. Video

    Protesters in #Georgia brought an effigy of Bidzina Ivanishvili, honorary chairman of the ruling “Georgian Dream” party and oligarch, dressed in a prison uniform, to their large demonstration running in the city of Kutaisi parallel to the Tbilisi protest. However, police confiscated it.

  • A senior official from the Special Tasks Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, linked to crackdowns, beatings, and arrests of protesters, has resigned

    Irakli Shaishmelashvili, a senior official from the Special Tasks Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, who was directly involved in the crackdowns, beatings, and arrests of protesters, has announced his resignation—at least according to a social media post he shared. His statement does not mention the reasons for his decision and is accompanied by three emojis.

  • Tens of thousands of warmly dressed protesters gathered outside the parliament today. Video

    Tens of thousands of well-prepared protesters gathered on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi tonight, braving the cold for the seventh consecutive evening of demonstrations. Drone operators monitoring the crowd report that today’s turnout exceeds that of the previous six days.

  • Zurab Datunashvili, a two-time world champion and member of the "Akhali" party, has been detained

    Zurab Datunashvili, a member of the “Akhali” party and a Greco-Roman wrestler, has been detained near the Marriott Hotel following an opposition meeting. Opposition media report that provocateurs were stationed near the hotel and instigated a brawl. It remains unclear what charges Datunashvili faces.

    Additionally, police have taken Aleko Elisashvili, leader of the “Citizens” party, into custody.

    Photo: Zurab Datunashvili.

  • Former deputy head of Georgia's Security Service calls on the army to "take a clear stand before a Russian intervention occurs and blood is shed"

    Former head of Georgia’s Special State Protection Service and ex-deputy head of the Security Service, Giorgi Aleqsidze, has issued sharp accusations against the government and called on the military to “fulfill its duty to defend the constitutionally guaranteed political path of the country and prevent the threat of another [Russian] intervention.”

    “The illegitimate oligarchy created by our relentless enemy [Russia], an oligarchy that falsifies elections, is trying at all costs to seize control of the country. Modern times have introduced new forms of warfare—we see Russia occupying and annexing independent and democratic states. Often, the real danger is well-disguised, making it difficult to recognize in time. But who, if not you, has clearly witnessed how [the authorities] have treated Georgia’s armed forces in recent years? They accused you of starting and losing the war, insulted and disrespected the memory of our national heroes, and dishonored the country’s commander-in-chief [the president] in front of soldiers.

    Our steadfast partners, who have made significant contributions to rebuilding Georgia’s military over the past decade, are now being labeled as enemies. In this situation, they have been forced to halt all assistance and training programs, which will undoubtedly have catastrophic consequences in the near future and critically weaken Georgia’s defense capabilities.

    In the face of unprecedented systematic violence against Georgia’s population by a corrupt system and the criminal alteration of the country’s constitutional course, as well as the looming threat of another Russian invasion, the responsibility to defend the homeland and preserve its independence falls on every one of you—especially senior officers and generals of the General Staff.

    It is time to take a clear stand and reaffirm your loyalty to the homeland and the Georgian people, before more blood is shed, and the hard-won independence is lost. Otherwise, tomorrow there may be nothing left to defend.”

  • Police in Tbilisi aggressively target people wearing masks and helmets in preparation for today’s protest. Video

    Police forces are seen moving back and forth through the metro stations of Freedom Square and Rustaveli. These stations, located at either end of the central Rustaveli Avenue, form an intricate tapestry of paths where people embark on their journey to participate in the protests, demanding that Georgia reaffirms its path toward European integration. This movement through the stations weaves together a kaleidoscopic scene of action, with each step contributing to the vivid mosaic of the day’s events.

  • The arrest of seven opposition politicians and activists has been confirmed

    The arrest of seven opposition politicians and activists has been confirmed following mass searches today at the offices and homes of opposition members and protest participants. “The search of opposition party offices in Georgia was conducted under the charge of ‘organizing group violence, participating in it, or inciting violent actions,'” the Ministry of Internal Affairs stated. The detainees face up to nine years in prison under this charge.

    Searches were carried out at the homes of six individuals, as well as at the offices of the “Droa” and “Girchi” parties, the “Jiutebi” movement office, and the youth office of the “United National Movement” party.

    It is still unclear what is happening with Nika Gvaramia, the leader of the “Akhali” party, who was beaten and arrested. It is only known that he has been transferred to a detention facility in Marneuli, 40 km from Tbilisi.

  • Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets again in Batumi. Video by "Formula" TV channel

  • The seventh night of protests begins on Rustaveli Avenue. Photo

  • Georgia president calls on partners to "put strong pressure" on the country's ruling party

  • Georgia protests, 3-4 December, 2024. Photo/video. Live

    Georgia protests, 3-4 December, 2024. Photo/video. Live