Georgia Erupts in Protests After Government Halts EU Accession Talks
protests in Georgia are drowning in blood, the police are beating and arresting foreigners”/>Brutal footage of violence against boys and girls! See how people in police uniforms mercilessly kick fallen demonstrators
04 December 2024Wednesday, 8:45 a.m.
Tbilisi, Georgia – The streets of the Georgian capital have erupted with violent protests following the government’s controversial decision to halt EU accession talks and suspend EU funding until 2028.
Shocking Allegations of Police Brutality
Dist disturbing videos circulating on Russian Telegram channels depict police officers brutally cracking down on demonstrators. In these graphic images, officers are seen kicking fallen protesters and forcibly removing defenseless individuals from the square.
“Why the surprise? Does he know who is now considered to be the ‘Syrian opposition’ in Syria? There are terrorists from all over the world. Western ‘democracy’ does not ignore anything in its methods,” commented military analyst Yuri Podoliaka, citing reports that 30% of those detained were foreigners.
The Syrian ombudsman, quoted by BNT, has also accused the Georgian police of mistreating detainees during the protests, further escalating concerns about the authorities’ response.
Calls for New Elections
Fueled by anger over the government’s decision, protesters are demanding a rerun of the October 26 parliamentary elections, which were won by the ruling Georgian Dream party despite opposition claims of irregularities.
“The only demand of the protesters is a repeat of the elections,” emphasizes pro-Western President Salome Zurabishvili, highlighting the depth of public discontent.
International Condemnation
While the United States has condemned the use of “excessive force” against protesters, the Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has repeatedly defended the police’s actions. Adding fuel to the fire, the Constitutional Court of Georgia recently refused to invalidate the contested election results.
What is the Georgian government’s rationale for halting EU accession talks, and how have they responded to the protests?
## Georgia Explodes: Protests After EU Hope Dashed
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**Host:** Welcome back to the show. We’re turning our attention now to the developing story out of Georgia where massive protests have erupted following the government’s decision to halt EU accession talks. Joining us live from Tbilisi to discuss the situation is Professor Mariam Gagua, a leading expert on Georgian politics. Professor Gagua, thank you for being with us.
**Professor Gagua:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Can you give our viewers some context on what sparked these protests?
**Professor Gagua:** This decision to postpone EU accession talks was the tipping point for many Georgians. They feel betrayed, as they’ve made significant strides in democratic reforms and aligning with European values. The chilling effect on democracy doesn’t help either. The government argues this pause is necessary for domestic stability but many see it as a step back from their European aspirations, which they see as vital for their future.
**Host:** The images coming out of Tbilisi are quite disturbing. Can you speak to the police response to these protests?
**Professor Gagua:** The crackdown by the authorities has been extremely aggressive. We’re seeing reports of excessive force, arbitrary arrests, and violence against demonstrators, including journalists. Scenes of police brutality are being widely shared online, further fueling the anger and unrest. [ [1](https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/02/europe/georgia-tbilisi-eu-protests-intl-hnk/index.html) ]
**Host:** How do you see this situation unfolding in the coming days?
**Professor Gagua:** Calming this situation down will be extremely challenging. The government needs to de-escalate, engage in meaningful dialog with protestors, and address their concerns. Conversely, the protestors need to demonstrate peacefully and avoid violence. International pressure will also be crucial in urging both sides to find a peaceful resolution.
**Host:** Professor Gagua, thank you for your insightful analysis. We’ll be continuing to follow this story closely.
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