Georgia Rocked By Violent Protests Over Russia-EU Divide Within Country

AFP

The party, which ruled Georgia since 2012, is reportedly founded by a billionaire who made his fortune in Russia. The party is often accused by critics of trying to move the country closer to Russia and away from the EU. Ahead of October’s elections, it pushed through legislation targeting independent civil society and curbing LGBTQ rights.

The EU and the United States see this as Georgia’s shift away from a pro-Western path and back towards Russia’s orbit. Georgian Dream says it is acting to defend the country’s sovereignty against outside interference and prevent it from being dragged, like Ukraine, into a war with Russia.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze accused the opposition of “coordinated violence” aimed at overthrowing the constitutional order.

AFP

Protest In Georgia

On Sunday night, thousands of protesters gathered again in the capital Tbilisi and some tossed fireworks at police, who responded with volleys of water cannon and tear gas. Some protesters stayed out all night, but police eventually ended the standoff by moving them away from the parliament building.

Georgia’s interior ministry said 21 police officers had been injured in the overnight protest, with 113 hurt since the beginning of the current unrest. Scores of protesters have also been injured in recent days, and the United States has condemned what it called the excessive use of police force.

AFP

Georgia’s public ombudsman said 124 out of 156 people arrested at rallies had complained of the police using violence against them, calling this a “very disturbing number”.

However, more rallies were planned on Monday and strikes and other protests have also started. Hundreds of diplomats and civil servants have signed open letters protesting the decision to suspend talks with the EU and stop receiving any funds from the bloc for four years. At least four Georgian ambassadors have resigned.

AFP

Russia’s Stand

Russia on Monday defended the crackdown on protesters, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying authorities are taking “measures to stabilise” the situation, accusing protesters of trying to “stir up” unrest.

Russia sees “the most direct parallel” with Ukraine’s “Maidan” protest that ousted a Kremlin-backed leader in 2014 after he suspended talks on closer EU ties, Peskov said.