Protests erupted in Georgia after the Prime Minister announced the suspension of European Union (EU) accession negotiations. The president also participated in the demonstration. Police used water cannons against civilians, and the interior ministry said the protests “exceeded legal norms” and required “special measures”. However, some claim that chemicals were used, with participants reporting burns.
Protests erupted across Georgia overnight from Thursday to Friday. The following people took to the streets: In Kutaisi, Batumi and Zugdidi, the country's prime minister announced the suspension of European Union accession negotiations. Pepper spray was used in Tbilisi, and police threw smoke grenades into the crowd, Eko Kavkaza (Radio Svoboda affiliate) and News Georgia reported.
Georgia. Protests all over the country
Water cannon was also used against demonstrators. The Interior Ministry confirmed that the protests were deemed to have “deviated from the norms established by law” and that “special measures” had been imposed. However, human rights defenders have warned that the Interior Ministry is using disproportionate force against participants in the actions.
See also: Georgia is leaving the EU. The prime minister suspended accession negotiations.
The Young Lawyers' Association is calling on the Home Office to release information about drugs used by police officers to disperse protests. The organization said police are using a mixture of water and chemicals. Many protesters who were sprayed with water complained of burns to their faces and bodies.
Pro-Western president Salome Zurabishvili also took part in the demonstration in central Tbilisi. The leader turned to the special forces officer and asked: “Do you want to serve Georgia or Russia?”
According to the Interior Ministry, three police officers were injured during the operation. It is unclear how many protesters were injured, but local media reported that about 10 journalists from various editorial departments were injured. There is also information on those detained, but no specific data is provided.
Georgia suspends European Union accession negotiations
At the same time, dozens of Georgian Foreign Ministry officials issued a joint statement opposing the government's decision to cancel the talks.
On October 30, the European Commission announced the suspension of the accession process with Georgia and will reinstate it unless the authorities in Tbilisi start respecting EU values, including accounting for irregularities during the October parliamentary elections. announced that it is not recommended to do so.
On Thursday, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that Georgia itself would suspend accession negotiations until 2028. -We have decided not to address the issue of starting negotiations with the EU until the end of 2028. It also said it would waive all EU budget subsidies by the end of 2028.
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