Violent protests in Georgia: Citizens defend themselves against government course!

Violent protests in Georgia: Citizens defend themselves against government course!

in Georgia, violent protests broke out again last night after the government rejected an accelerated EU integration by 2028. Prime Minister Irakli Kobachidse surprisingly said that Georgia would not take on negotiations on an EU accession and also wanted to do without the EU budget aids. This announcement prompted thousands of citizens, mostly young people, to come together in the capital of Tbilisi and other cities. As vienna.at , there were violent clashes between demonstrators and the police, while the security forces started tearfulas and water cannons, around the protesters drive away.

confrontation between protesting and security forces

The situation escalated in the early morning when the police violently acted against barricades, which were built from burning waste containers. According to reports, there were at least 107 arrests and numerous injuries, both among the protesters and among the security forces. Journalists were also attacked and injured. President Salome Surabischwili expressed her concern about the worrying development on social media and asked the police to avoid excessive violence. This violent oppression aroused memories of the events on the Euromaidan in Ukraine, such as nzz.ch analyzed.

The government's decision came after a controversial parliamentary election that was overshadowed by allegations of counterfeiting. Many see a clear step back into the Russian zone of influence in the rejection of the EU approach. While the government party "Georgischer Dream" claims that the relationship with the EU must be maintained on both sides, the protesters are convinced that their dreams of western integration are now in danger. Her anger unlocked in massive protests in the last two nights and shows a profound disappointment about the government and its future political direction.