TBILISI, Georgia — The public outcry in Georgia stemming from the ruling party’s choice to halt discussions regarding EU membership has now persisted for over a week. This has prompted a significant police response, utilizing heightened force in an effort to control the escalating protests.
On Wednesday, a notable opposition figure was forcibly taken into custody, according to his political group. Numerous activists have also faced arrest, while many demonstrators and some members of the press report having been subjected to severe violence.
During a live coverage of the protests on Friday, journalist Guram Rogava experienced a brutal incident when a riot officer charged at him, striking him in the head. The attack resulted in multiple fractures to his facial structure.
After his release from the hospital on Monday, with his neck immobilized and his head bandaged, Rogava expressed relief at being able to use his hands and communicate. He emphasized that media representatives appeared to be specifically targeted. “The government’s current state seems to necessitate an intimidating approach against the press,” he stated.
The ruling party, known as Georgian Dream, maintained its parliamentary dominance following a contentious election on October 26, which many viewed as a measure of public support for Georgia’s aspirations to join the EU. The opposition and the Western-aligned president, Salome Zourabichvili, have charged the governing body with electoral fraud, allegedly aided by neighboring Russia, and have elected to boycott parliamentary proceedings.
Protests intensified following the announcement last Thursday by Georgian Dream to pause EU accession discussions. In response to the unrest, riot police utilized water cannons and tear gas to disperse crowds and engaged physically with demonstrators, some of whom retaliated by hurling fireworks and constructing barricades along a main boulevard in the capital.
On Wednesday, the Coalition for Change, an opposition party, claimed police had invaded its headquarters, detaining its leader, Nika Gvaramia. A video was released showing officers forcibly removing him from the premises.
Numerous activists have faced arrest during police operations at various opposition party offices and civil society organizations. Aleko Elisashvili, one such detainee, was reported to be hospitalized due to injuries incurred during his arrest.
Over 300 individuals have reportedly been detained amid the ongoing protests, with more than 100 requiring medical care for their injuries. One demonstrator, identified as 22-year-old Aleksi Tirqia, was placed in a medically induced coma after an encounter involving tear gas.
This heavy-handed crackdown has attracted condemnation from U.S. and EU officials. During a recent summit of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken criticized the harsh treatment of those advocating for closer ties with Europe.
Lazare Maghlakelidze, a 20-year-old student involved in the protests, recounted his harrowing experience during detention, claiming officers threatened him with sexual violence and beat him when they believed no cameras were capturing the event. Despite suffering injuries, including a broken nose, Maghlakelidze expressed his resolve to continue participating in protests.
The Georgian Special Investigation Service has announced it is probing allegations of police violence against protesters and interference with journalists’ rights. Reports indicate that over 300 individuals have filed complaints regarding rights violations during the protests.
Human rights attorney Tamar Oniani voiced skepticism regarding the effectiveness of such investigations, noting that past instances have rarely led to accountability for police actions. He labeled the violence against protesters as systemic, emphasizing that it appeared sanctioned by the authorities.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, representing the Georgian Dream party, clarified that the police action against opposition offices aimed at individuals promoting violence and attempting to destabilize his government. “What we’re doing isn’t repression; rather, it’s a proactive approach,” he asserted.
President Zourabichvili has disputed the official election results and is challenging them in court, although her plea was dismissed earlier this week. In her largely ceremonial capacity, she has called upon Georgia’s Western allies to take a firm stance against the instances of police brutality and targeted crackdowns on opposition parties, urging them to apply “significant pressure on the ruling party that is driving the country into peril.” “Act without delay!” she urged on social media.
In December 2023, the EU granted Georgia candidate status, contingent on the nation meeting specific recommendations from the bloc. However, following the controversial passage of a “foreign influence” law in June, which many viewed as an affront to democratic freedoms, it placed the accession process on hold and reduced financial aid. This law mandates that any group receiving over 20% of its budget from foreign sources must register as one “pursuing the interest of a foreign power,” mirroring legislation in Russia that aims to discredit dissenting organizations.
