Protests erupt across Georgia after PM suspends EU membership talks

Protests broke out across Georgia overnight after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced the suspension of talks on joining the European Union until 2028.

A Georgian opposition supporter launches fireworks towards the police during protest in front of the Parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, 29 November 2024. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said on 28 November that Tbilisi will refuse EU accession talks until 2028. On 26 October 2024, parliamentary elections were held in Georgia. Around

EPA/DAVID MDZINARISHVILI

Demonstrations erupted in cities including Kutaisi, Batumi, Zugdidi, and the capital Tbilisi, where clashes with police were reported.

🇬🇪 | It was a tough and violent night in Tbilisi, with riot police brutally beating and detaining protesters, while journalists were especially targeted in extreme ways.

One thing is clear: the anti-Russian resistance in Georgia is alive and will continue. pic.twitter.com/zCIKu4rOih

— Visioner (@visionergeo) November 29, 2024

In Tbilisi, police used water cannons and pepper spray against protesters, and officers threw smoke grenades into the crowds, according to Echo of the Caucasus, a branch of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and NewsGeorgia. The Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed the use of "special measures," stating that the protest "went beyond the legal norms." However, human rights defenders accused the ministry of using disproportionate force against participants.

Police clashed with pro-European Union protesters in the Georgian capital Tbilisi, as demonstrations broke out overnight after the country’s ruling party said it would suspend talks on joining the EU until 2028 https://t.co/eCvUE1X6oN pic.twitter.com/srYbUoCUiQ

— Reuters (@Reuters) November 29, 2024

Allegations of chemical agents used

The Georgian Young Lawyers' Association demanded the Ministry of Internal Affairs disclose information about the substances used by law enforcement to disperse the protests. The organization alleges that police mixed water with chemical agents in the water cannons. Many protesters doused by the cannons reported burns on their faces and bodies.

Pro-Western President Salome Zourabichvili joined the demonstration in central Tbilisi, addressing special forces officers by asking, "Do you serve Georgia or Russia?"

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, three police officers were injured during the operation. The number of injured protesters remains unclear, but local media reported that around ten journalists from various outlets were hurt. Reports also indicated that several demonstrators were detained, though exact figures were not provided.

Foreign ministry staff oppose government decision

In a rare move, dozens of employees of Georgia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a joint statement opposing the government's decision to suspend EU membership talks.

On October 30, the European Commission announced the suspension of accession negotiations with Georgia, warning that it would not recommend resuming them unless the authorities in Tbilisi uphold EU values and address irregularities from the October parliamentary elections.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Kobakhidze declared that Georgia would unilaterally suspend discussions on EU membership until the end of 2028. "We have decided not to address the issue of opening negotiations with the EU until the end of 2028. Also, until the end of 2028, we are renouncing all EU budgetary grants," he stated.

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Source: IAR, PAP, Polsat News