Protests against the decision to suspend European Union (EU) accession talks until 2028 have escalated, with demonstrations spreading from the capital, Tbilisi, to other major cities in the country, including Batumi, Kutaisi, and Zugdidi. Crowds of thousands have been seen waving Georgian and EU flags, chanting slogans against the ruling party, and demanding the resumption of EU negotiations and new parliamentary elections. The rallies have been dispersed with disproportionate force by riot police, resulting in many injuries.
The abrupt decision by Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party to suspend EU accession talks (On November 28) has altered the political landscape drawing widespread condemnation and triggering massive protests across the country.
President Salome Zurabishvili immediately denounced the decision, describing it as unconstitutional and contrary to the will of the Georgian people. She convened an emergency meeting with diplomatic representatives, signalling her intent to oppose GD’s policy shift. Protests erupted across the country, with demonstrators gathering outside Parliament, GD headquarters, and in major cities like Kutaisi and Batumi. These initial protests reflected a growing dissatisfaction with GD’s governance and its perceived alignment with Russian interests.
By November 29, protests had intensified. Demonstrators rallied on Rustaveli Avenue, the epicentre of Georgian political activity, calling for the ruling party to reverse its decision. Citizens accused the government of abandoning Georgia's European future and aligning the country with Russian authoritarianism.
The slogans “We want Europe!” and “No to Russian rule!” echoed across the streets, as students, educators, and civil society groups joined the protests.
Cultural, academic, business and medical institutions began to close in solidarity with the demonstrators. Several universities, including Tbilisi’s Free University and the Agrarian University, suspended operations. Teachers and students across Georgia walked out of classrooms, emphasising the detrimental impact of GD’s decision on Georgia’s academic and cultural ties with Europe.
Growing protests are met with violence and arrests
As the protests grew, police forces resorted to increasingly aggressive measures to disperse crowds. Riot police deployed water cannons, tear gas, and pepper spray, leading to numerous injuries among protesters and journalists. Reports emerged of targeted attacks on media personnel, further fuelling public outrage.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported hundreds of arrests, many under charges of “petty hooliganism” and “disobeying lawful police orders.” By December 4, over 300 individuals had been detained. Civil society organisations noted the alarming rate of arrests and raised concerns about the conditions detainees faced. Multiple reports detailed how individuals were beaten both during and after their arrests, often suffering injuries to the head and face. Lawyers representing detainees described overcrowded detention facilities, insufficient medical care, and restricted access to legal representation. It is important to note that the police officers involved in dispersing the large-scale protests, who use pepper spray and demonstrate acts of violence, do not have identifiable markings. The presence of these markings is essential to identify which police officer used excessive force during the investigation stage.
Police raid homes of activists
The crackdown extended beyond the streets, with police raiding the homes of protest leaders, activists, and opposition members. These raids were often conducted without prior notice or legal counsel present, violating due process rights. For instance, Ilia Ghlonti, a prominent activist from the group “Daitove,” faced charges of organising violent activities, a claim his supporters strongly denied. His home was searched before his lawyer arrived, raising concerns about procedural violations.
Activist Dodo Kharkheli’s home was similarly raided, with police confiscating electronic devices belonging to her family members, including her child. Civil society groups have called these targeted actions part of a broader strategy to intimidate and silence dissenting voices.
Media freedom attacked
Journalists covering the protests were not spared from the violence. Multiple reporters and media personnel were injured, some hospitalised after being caught in clashes or directly targeted by police. One incident involved a cameraman from TV Pirveli, who was pepper-sprayed in the face at close range. In another case, Formula TV journalist Guram Rogava sustained head and back injuries after being physically assaulted by unidentified operatives during the protest (see more information).
The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association documented at least 20 instances of police brutality against journalists during the initial days of the protests. Equipment was confiscated or destroyed, and media workers were prevented from filming key moments of the demonstrations. These actions led to accusations that the government was deliberately obstructing the free press and seeking to control the narrative around the protests.
International solidarity
The international community swiftly condemned GD’s decision and the government’s response to the protests. European leaders, including representatives from Germany, Sweden, and Lithuania, expressed solidarity with the Georgian people and criticised the suspension of EU accession talks. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and other Western officials reiterated their support for Georgia’s democratic aspirations and urged the government to de-escalate tensions.
The United States also voiced its disapproval. The U.S. Helsinki Commission called for sanctions against GD leaders, including Bidzina Ivanishvili, the party’s founder. U.S. Representatives Joe Wilson and Steve Cohen condemned the violence against protesters and underscored the importance of holding those responsible accountable.
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, has called on the Georgian authorities to respect human rights, including the freedoms of peaceful assembly and expression, following the violent dispersal of protests in Tbilisi. He urged the immediate release of individuals detained for exercising their right to protest peacefully and condemned the use of force against demonstrators and journalists.
Opposition leaders violently attacked
High-profile opposition leaders faced harassment, physical attacks, and arrests. Gela Khasaia, a member of the opposition Coalition for Change, was violently assaulted near his home while attempting to join the protests. Elene Khoshtaria, a prominent opposition figure, suffered a broken arm after being struck by riot police, while other activists reported injuries from tear gas canisters and rubber bullets.
The government’s actions were widely interpreted as an attempt to suppress dissent through fear and intimidation. Opposition leaders accused GD of orchestrating a campaign to silence critics and consolidate power, further polarizing an already divided political landscape.
In addition to physical violence, the government has employed legal mechanisms and police raids to suppress opposition activities. Many opposition members and activists have faced arbitrary arrests, often under dubious charges:
Zurab Japaridze (Coalition for Change): Japaridze, a leader of the Coalition for Change, was arrested on charges of blocking roads during a protest. Video evidence showed Japaridze being dragged by police despite not resisting arrest. His detention sparked an outcry among opposition supporters, who accused the government of using fabricated charges to silence its critics.
Misha Mumladze (Local Activist): In Kutaisi, Mumladze was arrested while peacefully demonstrating. Eyewitnesses reported that police dragged him away after he encouraged protesters to cross the street. His clothing was torn during the arrest, and he repeatedly told officers he was unwell, but they ignored his pleas. Mumladze's arrest has become a rallying point for activists in Georgia's regional cities.
Nika Gvaramia, founder of the opposition party "Akhali" and leader of "Coalition for Change," was arrested by police on December 4 near the "Girchi-Droa" office. The arrest occurred during a search conducted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs at the office. Gvaramia, a lawyer, was demanding to attend the search, leading to a verbal altercation with law enforcement. He was detained using force—first thrown to the ground during the argument, then dragged to a vehicle with no identifiable police markings. Shortly afterward, another activist from "Coalition for Change," Gela Khasaia, was also arrested near the same location.
The suspension of Georgia's EU accession talks has ignited a robust response from civil society organisations and the general populace, leading to widespread protests and a series of planned activities aimed at reaffirming the country's commitment to European integration. Mass protests are expected to persist, with demonstrators advocating for the resumption of EU accession talks and adherence to democratic principles. Despite the challenges, the unwavering commitment of Georgian civil society and the broader population to democratic values and European integration is a testament to the country's resilience.
The active participation in protests, the solidarity among various societal sectors, and the support from international allies underscore a collective determination to uphold democratic principles.
Original photo: Vecteezy.com