Activists continue clashing with police in Tbilisi
Pro-EU protesters in Tbilisi, Georgia, November 29, 2024. © Davit Kachkachishvili / Anadolu / Getty Images
Pro-EU protests continued on Sunday in Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi, where activists clashed with riot police outside the former Soviet country’s parliament building.
The demonstrations are backed by a coalition of opposition parties, as well as Georgia’s pro-EU president, Salome Zourabichvili, who called the current government “illegitimate.” She previously claimed that the parliamentary election in October was rigged in favor of the ruling Georgian Dream party.
The protesters are outraged by the government’s decision to freeze negotiations on joining the EU until 2028.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakzhidze said Georgia should ultimately become a member state, but do so on fair terms. He accused the EU of using the accession talks to “blackmail” Georgia and meddle in its politics.
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01 December 2024
21:43 GMT
Some protesters brought raincoats to better withstand water cannons.
- 21:27 GMT
The atmosphere remains tense on Rustaveli Avenue and surrounding streets. Like the night before, protesters have brought many fireworks and are aiming them at the officers guarding the perimeter around the parliament building.
- 17:53 GMT
Protesters continue to launch fireworks and shine lasers at special forces, who are responding with water cannons.
- 17:53 GMT
Protesters have returned to the Parliament building in Georgia, where special forces are now guarding the premises. Law enforcement is preventing protesters from approaching the front entrance, where damage to surveillance cameras and windows had occurred in recent days.
- 17:50 GMT
The EU is considering sanctions against Georgia, accusing the government of using violence against protesters. New foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated that the bloc views the crackdown on pro-EU demonstrations as unacceptable and urges the Georgian authorities to respect the will of its citizens.
- 17:49 GMT
RT is resuming live coverage of the ongoing protests in Georgia, providing real-time updates as the situation unfolds. Stay tuned for the latest developments.
- 04:50 GMT
According to news channel Rustavi 2 and website Civil Georgia, police have cleared Rustaveli Avenue of protesters. Traffic has been restored on the street.
A group of protesters has moved to nearby Ilia Chavchavadze Avenue, calling on bystanders to join them.
- 03:14 GMT
A video shared on social media shows riot police detaining protesters. The altercation reportedly took place as the officers were pushing the crowd away from the parliament building.
Tbilisi 02:31#Special#forces against peaceful #protesters#GeorgiaProtests#Geo#EUpic.twitter.com/ShSPgkPqaz
— Samira Bayramova ?? ?? (@SamBayramova) November 30, 2024
- 03:07 GMT
As of 6 am local time, a large number of protesters remained on Rustaveli Avenue and refused to leave, local media reported.
At 6 a.m., large number of protesters remain on Rustaveli Avenue. Police continue to disperse those at the front with tear gas, while the majority stay behind. 'Until the end,' the protesters chant.? Gigi Kobakhidze/Civil.ge pic.twitter.com/upL5CwoAP2
— Civil.ge (@CivilGe) December 1, 2024
- 01:39 GMT
News channel Imedi posted a video of protesters “attacking” an ambulance.
The Interior Ministry said that people were blocking a fire truck from reaching an unspecified “incident scene.”
Protesters in Tbilisi attacked ambulance pic.twitter.com/Wb2v3Tizn0
— IMEDI News (@tv_imedi) November 30, 2024
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