Protesters in Tbilisi light a fire and are not going to disperse
Large-scale protests against the government and the change in political course continue in Georgia. Protesters have erected barricades on Rustaveli Avenue, lit a fire and do not plan to disperse, despite the brutal dispersal and mass arrests.
A couple of hours ago, it was reported that the police detained several dozen people. In addition, there were physical clashes between law enforcement officers and demonstrators, and there are casualties. Among the victims are photographer and correspondent for Paper Kartuli Fyodor Khudokormov, journalist for TV Pirveli Mariam Gaprindashvili and other representatives of the press.
“We have once again witnessed brutal and disproportionate attacks on the Georgian people and media, which are reminiscent of Russian-style repression. These actions will not be forgiven! Those guilty of using force must be held accountable,” Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili wrote on the X social network.
The Georgian Interior Ministry once again explained the use of disproportionate force against protesters by the fact that the protest went beyond the norms stipulated by the law on assemblies and demonstrations. The department calls on protesters not to commit illegal actions and to follow the instructions of law enforcement agencies. Otherwise, security forces will "apply measures stipulated by Georgian legislation."
Recall that the reason for the new wave of rallies was the statement by reappointed Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze that the negotiation process on the country's European integration is postponed until 2028.
The US Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Helsinki Commission) responded to what is happening in Georgia. It called the Georgian government "illegitimate" and called on the State Department to take measures to punish those responsible for dispersing the protest in Tbilisi. This is stated in a statement signed by the chairman of the commission Joe Wilson and its member Steve Cohen.
