Georgians defy government: Mass rallies over EU talks halt
Georgians continue to protest on the streets of their cities for yet another day. Supporters of European integration, displeased with the prime minister's decision to pause talks with the EU, have taken to the streets. An elderly woman's speech, which fervently criticises heavily armed police officers, has become a viral sensation on the internet. "Whose millions and palaces are you protecting?" she questioned.
In the capital, Tbilisi, thousands of residents took to the streets, just as they did in Batumi and Kutaisi. The Georgians are protesting not only against the alleged falsification of the October parliamentary elections by the ruling Georgian Dream party.
They are also displeased with Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's decision. He announced that the government is suspending accession talks with the European Union until 2028 and will not accept European grants. The decision followed the European Parliament's call for the European Union to impose sanctions against the Georgian prime minister. MEPs were also sceptical of the parliamentary election results and called for a rerun. Russia was also condemned for interfering in the Georgian elections.
According to "Belsat," this sparked outrage among supporters of European integration, who took to the streets for mass protests in Tbilisi and other Georgian cities. The police brutally suppressed demonstrations in the capital. Prime Minister Kobakhidze expressed gratitude to them for defending the state's system.
The authorities reportedly used a mixture of water and chemicals. Many people were injured, and human rights organisations are demanding details on exactly what the police used during their clashes with citizens.
According to official data, 43 people were detained, and dozens of protesters were injured, including about 20 journalists, reports Georgian media.
A symbolic recording was made of an elderly woman who, undeterred, addressed the armed special forces officers, urging them to reflect on their actions against their compatriots. The portal Belsat shared the video on social media.
Georgian against Georgian. What could be more humiliating? If I figured it out, why can't you? Whose millions and palaces are you protecting? Georgian Dream has been in power for 12 years. Where did they come from? Who raised them? - the elderly woman challenged the armed police officers.
