Protesters waved European Union and Georgian flags during the fifth consecutive night of demonstrations against the government's decision to delay EU accession talks until 2028, in central Tbilisi on Tuesday morning. AFP
Georgia reported on Tuesday that 26 individuals, predominantly protesters, were injured during another late-night pro-EU rally in the Caucasus nation, which is already embroiled in a severe political crisis. Thousands of demonstrators filled the streets of Tbilisi on Monday night for the fifth day in a row, protesting against the ruling Georgian Dream party. The protesters accuse the party of attempting to realign Tbilisi with Moscow and are outraged by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's announcement last week that EU accession talks would be postponed until 2028. The confrontation between riot police and mostly young protesters persisted throughout the night, with police deploying tear gas against hundreds of demonstrators who retaliated by launching fireworks. Georgia's health ministry confirmed that '26 individuals, including 23 protesters and three representatives of the ministry of internal affairs' were taken to medical facilities following the latest protest on Monday. 'None of the injuries are life-threatening,' the ministry added, noting that some of the injured 'remain under medical supervision.'
Several Western nations have criticized Tbilisi for its heavy-handed police response to the demonstrations. UN rights chief Volker Turk expressed concern on Monday about the 'disproportionate' use of force by law enforcement. NATO chief Mark Rutte condemned the situation in Georgia as 'deeply concerning' on Tuesday, unequivocally condemning reports of violence. The predominantly young protesters accuse Georgian Dream of acting on Russian orders and fear the ex-Soviet country will revert to Russian influence. 'We want freedom and we do not want to find ourselves in Russia,' said 21-year-old protester Nika Maghradze. Georgia has experienced several waves of mass protests against Georgian Dream this year, with the political crisis intensifying since the disputed October election. The opposition and pro-EU President Salome Zurabishvili have accused Georgian Dream of rigging the election, a claim supported by several Western countries. Zurabishvili and the opposition are calling for a re-run of the election.
'Across Georgia, people are rising against the Russian puppetry regime,' Zurabishvili stated on social media on Monday. 'The message is clear: Give me my vote back! Give me my European future back!' Some protesters pinned their hopes on the 72-year-old president. 'She is our only chance,' said 43-year-old demonstrator Mariam. Prime Minister Kobakhidze has steadfastly refused to engage in talks with the opposition. He has also accused his opponents of attempting to orchestrate a Ukraine-style pro-EU uprising funded from abroad. 'I remind everyone that there will be no revolution in Georgia,' he told reporters on Monday.
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