We continue our live coverage of the fallout and widespread protests that have come in the wake of Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s announcement that Georgia would be halting its EU accession process.

We’re ending our live coverage for now, but will be back later for more from Georgia. You can read a summary of the day’s events here.

As the free press in Georgia comes under attack, please consider becoming an OC Media member to help support our work.

Public Broadcaster cameraperson injured by firework

The Georgian Public Broadcaster has stated that one of their camera operators, Beso Gaprindashvili, was injured by the firework aimed at them by one of the demonstrators.

According to media reports, his hand was injured.

The public broadcaster has for years been accused of bias towards the ruling Georgian Dream party.

A website has been created to track the movements and activities of riot police to warn protesters of their whereabouts.

Formula camera operator injured by tear gas

Formula camera operator Tedo Kvachakhia is reportedly receiving medical attention due to tear gas.

Ukrainian MP: ‘Ukraine is with you!’

Oleksiy Goncharenko, Ukrainian MP from Petro Poroshenko’s European Solidarity party, has posted a video address from the Ukrainian parliament in support of the protesters in Georgia, saying in Russian that ‘all of Ukraine is with you!’

My appeal to Georgians from the Verkhovna Rada! Ukraine supports the desire of Georgians to fight against Russian influence! pic.twitter.com/dJezIRoLDz

— Oleksiy Goncharenko (@GoncharenkoUa) December 3, 2024

Here is some footage from the protests currently underway along Rustaveli Avenue.

A group of protesters in Tbilisi dance and play drums as the battle with riot police continues down the street.

US State Department condemns excessive force by police

US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel has stated at a briefing that the US condemns the excessive use of force by police against Georgian demonstrators, IPN reports.

He said the US called on all parties to ensure the peaceful nature of the protests and called on the Georgian government to strictly uphold the rule of law, human rights, and fundamental freedoms.

Patel also condemned the violence against and detention of journalists.

Interior Ministry arrests protester for ‘preparing Molotov cocktail’

According to the Interior Ministry, a 25-year-old man has been arrested on criminal charges of preparing an explosion at a protest.

They stated that law enforcement officers initially arrested the accused for artificially blocking a roadway during a protest and disobeying a lawful request from the police.

 The Ministry of Internal Affairs claims that as a result of a search of the protest participant, two Molotov cocktails were seized.

If found guilty, the detainee could face up to seven years in prison.

The Public Defender accuses police of ‘torture’

The Public Defender has accused the police of torturing detained protesters.

In a statement, he said he and his team had met with people detained and injured during the demonstrations for a fifth day in a row, most of whom indicated severe treatment by the police. 

‘In most cases, [detained demonstrators] sustained serious injuries to the face, eyes, and head, which practically eliminates the possibility that the police used proportionate force against them at all times. The location, nature, and extent of the injuries create a credible impression that the police are using violent methods against citizens for the purpose of punishment’.

‘Intentional, severe violence for the purpose of punishment constitutes an act of torture’, the statement read.

Hoses used from inside parliament

Police have again fired water at demonstrators using fire hoses from inside the Georgian parliament.

Protesters have launched fireworks in the direction of the parliament as well as shining lasers at police.

Mautskebeli journalist fined 

Tbilisi City Court has fined Giorgi Chagelishvili, a journalist at Mautskebeli detained during the demonstrations, ₾2,000 ($700), they have reported.

Chagelishvili was arrested yesterday morning as police searched for protesters in the Rustaveli Metro station.

Metropolitan of Ukrainian Church expresses support to protesters

Metropolitan Epiphanius I of Kyiv and All Ukraine addressed the protesters in Georgia on X in Ukrainian, English, and Georgian wishing ‘our brothers and sisters to protect their independence and their future as a free European nation’. 

‘The truth will prevail! May God bless all who are on the side of truth!’

Православна Церква України і я особисто, як її Предстоятель, молимося за народ Грузії, бажаємо нашим братам і сестрам захистити свою незалежність і своє майбутнє, як вільної європейської нації. Правда переможе! Нехай Бог благословить всіх, хто на боці правди!

The Orthodox…

— Митрополит Епіфаній (@Epifaniy) December 3, 2024

Sujashvili to work in Special State Protection Service

Former Deputy Minister of Defense, Davit Sujashvili, will continue to work in the Special State Protection Service. He was earlier reported to have stepped down as deputy minister.

Bidzina Ivanishvili effigy burnt in Batumi

In Batumi, where the anti-government protests are also being held, demonstrators have burnt an effigy of Bidzina Ivanishvili, the billionaire founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party and its current honorary chair.

Kobakhidze/Papuashvili VS Janelidze/Khidasheli scheduled for tomorrow at 22:00

The Georgian Public Broadcaster has agreed to host a debate between the Prime Minister and the Speaker of Parliament and two former Georgian Dream ministers turned government critics. The debates are scheduled for tomorrow at 22:00.

Earlier, the Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze offered the Public Broadcaster to dedicate airtime tomorrow to a discussion between him and Papuashvili on one side and former Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze and former Defence Minister Tina Khidasheli on the other.

OSCE representative condemns violence

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Special Representative on the South Caucasus, Luis Graça, called on the protesters ‘to refrain from violence and on the authorities to respect the fundamental freedoms of assembly and expression’.

‘Reports of violence during the recent demonstrations are alarming’, he stated.

‘At the same time, while I emphasise that the police have a duty to exercise restraint in responding to demonstrators, it is important for the authorities to listen to the voices of the protesters and to respect fundamental freedoms’.

Graça stated that the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly stands ready to assist in fostering dialogue and supporting solutions that uphold the democratic and constitutional order, the rule of law, and the well-being of all Georgians. 

‘At this critical juncture, I call upon all sides to engage in a constructive and open dialogue to rebuild trust and strengthen democratic institutions. The people of Georgia deserve a peaceful and democratic future, and our Assembly remains dedicated to supporting efforts to achieve this goal’.

Almost 300 people arrested so far

Deputy Interior Minister Aleksandre Darakhvelidze has stated at a briefing that  293 people have been detained during the latest wave of protests on administrative charges, with five more facing criminal charges.

The Prosecutor’s office reported that they had charged three of them with assaulting police officers and damaging property during a rally near Parliament. All three have been remanded to pre-trial detention.

Government offers to transfer injured protester abroad for treatment ‘if necessary’

Health Minister Mikheil Sarjveladze has reportedly offered to ensure that a 22-year-old protester injured during last night’s protests receives treatment abroad if necessary.

Local media cited Sarjveladze as saying that this was not necessary at this stage.

Aleksi Tirkia underwent emergency surgery after being hospitalised at around 04:00 this morning. He was reportedly struck in the head with a tear gas canister. 

On.ge quoted his attending physician as stating that he was admitted with an open scalp wound and remains in a medically induced coma. 

Kobakhidze and Papuashvili to debate Khidasheli and Janelidze 

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has offered the Public Broadcaster to dedicate airtime tomorrow to a discussion between him and Parliamentary Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on one side and former Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze and former Defence Minister Tina Khidasheli on the other.

The Prime Minister yesterday offered a public discussion to those protesting Georgian Dream’s decision to suspend the European integration process.

Gharibashvili ‘denies leaving’

Former Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili has reportedly denied leaving the party. The ruling Georgian Dream party has released a statement purportedly from Gharibashvili denying that he had left the party or his position as chair. 

‘Media outlets controlled by the radical opposition have spread lies’, the brief statement said. ‘This disinformation has the sole purpose of misleading the public and causing artificial agitation’.

Deputy Defence Minister reportedly resigns

According to several local media outlets, Davit Sujashvili has resigned as Deputy Defence Minister and has been replaced by Gela Geladze.

Sujashvili has not commented publicly on his resignation, and it is unclear if he will remain in government. He was appointed in 2019.

Riot police ‘attacked deaf man’

Georgian rights group the Partnership for Human Rights (PHR) has reported that last night, masked police officers ‘severely assaulted a disabled person’.

They said that at the time of the attack, he was no longer at the protest site but was on his way home and eating food.

‘He was unaware of the impending danger’, the statement said.

‘At that time, special forces officers, specially disguised to deal with the protesters, emerged from the buildings and severely assaulted him’.

‘It is particularly cruel to attack a deaf person indiscriminately, because [the victim] had no opportunity to hear the impending attack or to run away to a safe place’.

The organisation reported that he had suffered multiple injuries on his face and had to be taken to a clinic for treatment.

Former Georgian Dream PM Gharibashvili reportedly leaves ruling party

Opposition-aligned TV channels Pirveli and Mtavari Arkhi have reported that Irakli Gharibashvili, the former prime minister and current chair of Georgian Dream, has left the ruling party.

Initially, TV Pirveli reported that Gharibashvili was preparing to leave Georgian Dream and that this information was confirmed to them by ‘Gharibashvili’s entourage’.

Later, Mtavari Arkhi also shared the same information but reported that Gharibashvili had already left the party.

Small anti-government protest in Akhaltsikhe

Local residents have gathered once again this evening in the centre of Akhaltsikhe, a town in southwestern Georgia, to protest Georgian Dream’s decision to ‘halt’ the country’s EU bid and police brutality against demonstrators.

Gathered near the Shota Rustaveli statue, the organisers opened the evening by playing the Georgian national anthem and the EU anthem.

Local media has reported that some local students had been conducting walkouts from their schools in recent days to join the nationwide protests.

Police mobilise, Rustaveli blocked

Police and water cannons have been mobilised on Freedom Square, at the entrance of Rustaveli Avenue, which is now blocked.

President Zourabichvili on Constitutional Court ruling: they stabbed the Constitution and tore it apart completely

In this morning’s press briefing, President Salome Zourabichvili condemned the decision by the Constitutional Court to reject her petition arguing against the legality of the 26 October elections. The Court equally rejected a similar petition from 30 members of parliament that they eventually merged into one case.

‘The Constitutional Court has passed a verdict on both the country and itself’, Zourabichvili stated. 

She said it would have taken three justices to ‘stand true to their conscience and their duty to the country’, adding that she was ‘wrong’. 

In the same statement, Zourabichvili accused the billionaire founder of Georgian Dream, Bidzina Ivanishvili, of occupying all branches of the government in Georgia except of hers. 

‘There remains one constitutional, legitimate institution, and that is me, and this is a very great responsibility. On the other side, there is one person who has fully usurped power in this country — I do not use the word “government”, but “power” —  and has established a violent regime. That person is Ivanishvili.’

Writers demand Writer's House break silence

A group of Georgian writers have gathered at the Writer’s House in Tbilisi to demand a meeting with its director, Ketevan Dumbadze.

The publicly funded organisation, tasked with supporting writers, has remained silent on the violent dispersal of recent protest demonstrations, which led to the beating and eight-day imprisonment of prominent writer Zviad Ratiani, the detention of poet Tornike Chelidze, and the brutal assault of translator Data Kharaishvili.

Dumbadze’s appointment in August last year sparked widespread criticism due to her prior public support for controversial legislation targeting civil rights groups.

Creative agencies decry Georgia’s anti-EU shift

The Georgian Association of Communication Agencies has issued a statement on behalf of its 28 creative industry organisations, criticising the Georgian government’s anti-EU stance. 

The Association also condemned the recent ‘cruel’ crackdowns on ‘peaceful’ street protests by the authorities, and called for the release of all protesters, including their colleague Giorgi Okmelashvili.

‘Today, more than ever, we need unity to make our historic choice, which lies in Europe and Euro-Atlantic integration’, their statement read.

Japan urges Georgian government to ‘to exercise restraint’

Japan's Foreign Ministry has called on the Georgian government ‘to exercise restraint in order to avoid deterioration of the situation’. 

The Ministry expressed hope that the Georgian authorities ‘take constructive measures to gain the understanding of its people and that the situation will be calmed down soon’. 

Shops selling fireworks closed in Tbilisi

Shops and warehouses selling fireworks and other pyrotechnics have reportedly been closed in Tbilisi. 

The Georgian online outlet commersant.ge has quoted a wholesale fireworks trader who claimed that authorities, without specifying which government agency, had demanded the removal of pyrotechnics from sale.

Protesters have gained attention by deploying large fireworks during protest nights, using them as a form of resistance by shooting them at riot police in Tbilisi.

Earlier, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze claimed that the pyrotechnics had been deliberately stockpiled in preparation for a ‘specific’ time, suggesting that Georgian rights groups were involved in the efforts.

Moldovan PM expresses his support to Georgian protesters 

The Prime Minister of Moldova, Dorin Recean, has commended Georgians for their ‘unwavering commitment’ to democracy as well as to their European aspirations.

Over the past 5 days, we see the unwavering commitment of the people of Georgia to democracy & their European aspirations.

Moldova stands in solidarity with the 🇬🇪people. We support their right to peaceful assembly & the pursuit of a democratic future aligned with the EU values.

— Dorin Recean (@DorinRecean) December 3, 2024

European Greens calls on EU to follow Baltic states’ example of sanctioning Georgian Dream officials

The European Green Party, a member of the Greens/European Free Alliance group in the European Parliament, has called on the EU today to emulate Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia by imposing sanctions on Georgian Dream officials.

The European Greens labelled the Georgian government’s recent anti-EU turn as a ‘betrayal of the overwhelming majority of Georgians’ and condemned the authorities’ response to the ensuing street protests as ‘unacceptable brutality’, asserting that it ‘underscores the authoritarian drift of the so-called “Georgian Dream’ party’.

Protest at Police Department in Dighomi, Tbilisi

A group of Georgians have assembled outside a police department in Tbilisi’s Dighomi District to express solidarity with detained protesters reportedly still held there, and to call for their release.

Protesters held images depicting cases of police violence against protesters, with some calling it ‘torture’. 

Gakharia: Law enforcement may be hiring gangs to assault and loot protesters with guaranteed impunity

The opposition For Georgia party leader Giorgi Gakharia has alleged that Georgian law enforcement may have effectively subcontracted violence to informal and private groups, expressing ‘well-founded suspicions’ that the masked men assaulting protesters might not even be officially employed by the agencies.

‘It seems that the masked individuals have been granted impunity, allowing them to commit acts of violence and engage in looting to such an extent that they take personal belongings, phones, bags, and other belongings from injured and beaten victims’, Gakharia alleged.

Prominent government critic Kharkheli released from police custody

Law enforcement officers have released prominent social media strategist Dodie Kharkheli after departing the flat in Tbilisi they had brought her to earlier today.

A group of supporters promptly gathered outside the flat, where three lines of masked riot police officers were deployed. The demonstrators feared that Kharkheli would be imprisoned as a form of government retaliation for her support for the ongoing protest rallies. 

Speaking to the media, Kharkheli claimed that law enforcement officers retrieved all electronic devices from the flat.

The authorities have yet to specify what they were investigating and searching for.

University of Georgia establishes support fund

The University of Georgia has reportedly established a support fund of ₾200,000 ($70,300) to assist public service workers who distanced themselves from the government’s decision to halt Georgia’s EU membership bid until 2028 and either resigned or were forced to leave their positions. 

Kobakhidze issues subtle threat to public employees, rights groups

During his press briefing today, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze pledged to ‘react’ to dissenting public employees, describing it as a ‘self-cleansing’ of the public service.

‘We have been observing everyone’s actions and will respond. The response will be in accordance with the Constitution and the law, but there will be a response — I say this with full responsibility’, Kobakhidze vowed.

Kobakhidze further assured the public that the ‘leaders of wealthy NGOs’ would likewise ‘not escape their responsibility’ for allegedly financially helping protesters, in case, according to him, ‘relevant evidence emerges’.

Young protester in critical condition

Among the protesters injured last night was a man in his early 20s, who reportedly underwent emergency surgery in one of the Tbilisi hospitals after being delivered there at around 4:00 in the morning. He was reportedly struck in the head with a gas canister. 

The Georgian news outlet On.ge quoted his attending physician, stating that the man was admitted ‘with an open scalp wound’ and remains in a medically induced coma. 

Lawyers call on Georgian Bar Association to protect their rights

Over 35 lawyers have signed a joint appeal calling on the Georgian Bar Association to protect their rights and promote the implementation of justice in Georgia. 

The statement highlighted that lawyers in Georgia face a number of obstacles in locating detained persons and to speak with them, noting that this is especially important given that ‘the vast majority of persons arrested in recent days have significant injuries’. 

The appeal also discussed how the rights of lawyers have been ‘significantly violated’ during the consideration of cases in court.

‘The Georgian Bar Association is the only professional association for lawyers created on the basis of Georgian legislation, whose main function is to take care of professional dignity. Against the backdrop of authoritarianism rooted in Georgia and the hijacking of state institutions, the association has a double responsibility, not only to take care of the ethical norms in this profession, but also to preserve its vitality and meaning’, the appeal read. 

Georgian Orthodox Church criticises Zourabichvili

The Patriarchate of the Georgian Orthodox Church has criticised Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili for recently encouraging school students to participate in ongoing protests.

The Church also labelled Zourabichvili’s alleged claim that riot police were provided amphetamines to withstand physical strain during protest nights as ‘irresponsible’ and ‘discrediting law enforcement’ agencies.

Constitutional Court rejects election lawsuit

Georgia’s Constitutional Court has rejected the lawsuit submitted by Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili and opposition parties to declare the 26 October elections unconstitutional. 

There were two dissenting opinions, both of which were based on concerns regarding the availability of participation in the elections for voters living abroad.

Georgian MFA summons Baltic Ambassadors

The ambassadors of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia have reportedly been summoned to Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the recent imposition of travel sanctions on Georgian officials by the Baltic countries. 

Georgia marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities with protests

A group of Georgian persons with disabilities, disability rights advocates, social workers, and their supporters have marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities by protesting outside the government chancellery in downtown Tbilisi today.

At the rally called Our Place is in the EU, the group protested the Georgian government’s anti-EU turn.

In their announcement of the event, the organisers criticised the decision to halt the country’s EU membership bid, describing it as a threat to their basic and essential services that would ‘strip persons with disabilities of their present and future, forcing them back into isolation or compelling them to leave their homeland.’

A similar gathering has also been announced by the community in Batumi to be held at 17:00.

NATO Chief condemns situation in Georgia 

NATO chief Mark Rutte has called the reports of violence in Georgia ‘deeply concerning’ during a press conference in Brussels today. 

NATO chief Mark Rutte has condemned the situation in Georgia, calling the reports of violence ‘deeply concerning’ during a press conference in Brussels today.
🔴 Live updates: https://t.co/7C9b5lX9Su… pic.twitter.com/X340Bx46ij

— OC Media (@OCMediaorg) December 3, 2024

CCTV cameras installed on Rustaveli Avenue

Additional CCTV cameras are currently being installed along Tbilisi’s Rustaveli Avenue, the epicenter of anti-government protests in recent days.

Last night, protesters removed a number of such cameras.

Council of Europe groups call for end of violence, new elections in Georgia

Three political groups within the Council of Europe — the Democrats and Greens (SOC), the European People’s Party (EPP/CD), and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) — have issued a joint statement urging the Georgian government to end the violence against and persecution of government critics and to hold new elections in Georgia.

The groups have also urged ‘the consistent introduction of sanctions by European states against representatives of the “Georgian Dream”, including entry bans and asset freezes’.

UK Minister condemns excessive use of force by Georgian Authorities

The UK Minister of State for Europe, North America, and the Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty, has condemned ‘the continued use of brutal and excessive force against protestors and journalists that has continued over recent days’.

‘We call on the Georgian authorities to listen, de-escalate this situation, and reverse their harmful trajectory away from European values. Continued steps away from democratic norms and freedoms will only serve to harm Georgia’s international reputation, and risk fundamentally damaging relations with Georgia’s friends and partners’, Doughty said. 

Health Ministry: 23 protesters hospitalised

Georgia’s Health Ministry has reported that during last night’s protests in Tbilisi, their Emergency Situation Coordination and Urgent Assistance Centre hospitalised 23 protesters and 3 employees of the Interior Ministry. The Ministry emphasised that these figures only account for individuals transported to clinics by the Centre.

Media Freedom Rapid Response: at least 50 journalists attacked during protests

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a mechanism to track, monitor, and react to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries, has reported that at least 50 journalists  ‘experienced physical attacks, verbal abuse, or obstruction’ during police dispersals of pro-EU demonstrations in Tbilisi. 

‘This brutal crackdown on the media in Georgia is not an isolated episode but is part of a disturbing pattern of targeted violence and impunity for crimes against journalists, including those committed during protests earlier this year against the restrictive law on “Transparency of Foreign Influence” ’, the report noted. 

MFRR specifically highlighted the cases of Publika journalists Aleksandra Keshelashvili, who suffered a broken nose, had his cameras confiscated, and required hospitalization before being released and Ana Mskhaladze, who was struck on the head and allegedly had her phone confiscated; Formula TV media worker Guram Rogava, who was brutally assaulted and hospitalised; and TV Pirveli investigative reporter Mariam Gaprindashvil, who suffered a head injury and breathing difficulties after being assaulted, temporarily losing consciousness and requiring 24-hour hospitalisation

 ‘The international community must demand that the Georgian government ends its crackdown on the press and upholds its commitments to democratic freedoms and freedom of expression. We once again express our full solidarity with the courageous journalists of Georgia’, the report stated. 

During the protests, riot police have attempted to forcibly detain OC Media’s Co-director Mariam Nikuradze, and have caused damage to multiple of her cameras.

Police broke my second camera. They wanted to arrest me, I told them I was journalist, he let me go and pushed me to the wall pic.twitter.com/9vs6enrO16

— Mariam Nikuradze (@mari_nikuradze) December 2, 2024

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Students stage walkouts across Georgia’s regions 

Groups of students in schools across Kutaisi, Batumi, Zugdidi, Rustavi, and Akhaltsikhe have boycotted classes in protest against the Georgian government’s anti-EU stance and police violence against protesters.

Local TV channel 25 aired a video provided by a witness, reportedly filmed at the 18th Batumi public school. The footage appears to show an individual, allegedly a school staff member, physically assaulting minors attempting to voice their protest.

Prominent government critic reportedly detained in Tbilisi

Police have reportedly detained Dodie Kharkheli, a prominent digital communications strategist and former Digital Outreach Manager at OC Media  and organiser of anti-government protests. 

Authorities are currently conducting a search of her flat.

Public Broadcaster employees criticise management over ‘bias’ in coverage

A group of 57 employees at the Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB), including its prominent anchors, have issued a joint statement relayed by RFE/RL’s Georgian service criticising the management for their editorial policy as ‘failing to cover events in a thorough and unbiased manner’. 

Anti-government protesters held two demonstrations outside GPB’s offices in Tbilisi, demanding live airtime to voice their grievances. The company’s management agreed to their demands, granting airtime on two occasions, including last night, while maintaining that their coverage was not biased.

GYLA: Interior Ministry continues to ‘violently and unlawfully suppress’ the protests

GYLA have condemned last night’s violent crackdown on street protests in Tbilisi as unlawful, stating that the police started dispersing crowds near the parliament building when the ‘absolute majority’ of protesters were peaceful.

According to the rights group, throughout the night, ‘police forces intermittently pursued demonstrators, ambushed them, verbally abused them, detained them arbitrarily using violent methods’, and threw gas canisters at protesters from the roof of a building on Rustaveli Avenue, ‘a practice that poses a serious risk to human health’.

Ministry of Education requests information about school strikes

Georgia’s Ministry of Education has posted on Facebook asking for people to call the Ministry hotline if ‘you have information about the interruption of the educational process’. 

Students across Georgia have been organising walkouts and strikes in protest against the government’s decision to halt the country’s EU-membership bid and the subsequent violent crackdown by authorities on protesters during pro-EU and anti-government demonstrations. 

USAID head calls on Georgian government to stop attacking and arresting peaceful protesters

USAID Administrator Samantha Power has posted on X calling for the Georgian Dream government to ‘stop attacking and arresting peaceful protesters’. 

People across Georgia are bravely standing up for democracy and Georgia's EU aspirations enshrined in the constitution. The Georgian Dream government should stop attacking and arresting peaceful protestors, respect the right to assembly, and listen to the people of Georgia.

— Samantha Power (@PowerUSAID) December 2, 2024

Employees at Georgia’s Revenue Service criticise decision to halt EU membership bid 

Around 150 employees at the Georgian Revenue Service have signed a joint statement separating themselves from the government’s decision to halt the country’s EU membership bid until 2028, stating that they ‘remain faithful to the Constitution of Georgia and the course of integration into the European Union’.

UN Human Rights Chief calls on Georgian authorities to protect rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk has called on the Georgian authorities to respect and protect the rights to freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly, noting that dozens of protesters and media workers were reportedly injured during demonstrations following the government’s announcement it was halting Georgia’s EU membership bid until 2028. 

‘The use of unnecessary or disproportionate force against protesters and media workers is extremely worrying’, Türk said. ‘All Georgians from across the political spectrum should be able to express their views about the future of their country freely and peacefully’.

Türk also highlighted a specific challenge facing investigations into cases of the abuse of official authority by police officers — the lack of individual identification numbers or nametags on the uniforms of riot and special police forces. 

‘These incidents underscore once again the need to address this long-standing concern when it comes to establishing individual responsibility of law enforcement officers in Georgia’ Türk said.

He finished his statement by calling for ‘ all segments of society to maintain a peaceful environment and resolve any disagreement through a transparent and an inclusive dialogue, and use established legal procedures based on the rule of law’.

Trio Mandili posts in support of pro-EU demonstrations

The polyphonic singing group Trio Mandili has shared a post on Instagram showing their attendance at and support for the ongoing pro-EU and anti-government demonstrations in Tbilisi. 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Trio Mandili | Official (@trio_mandili)

Key events from yesterday:

• Protesters gathered en masse in Tbilisi and other cities across Georgia — including in Batumi, Poti, Rustavi, and Zugdidi — for the fifth night in a row
• Students across the country  — including in Tbilisi, Rustavi, Batumi, Kutaisi, Zugdidi, Telavi, and Gori — staged walkouts, while some schools cancelled classes, citing the intentions of their staff to participate in the demonstrations. 
• Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania banned entry to 11 Georgian officials — including  Georgian Dream’s honorary chair Bidzina Ivanishvili and Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri — over human rights violations
• The Canadian Foreign Minister announced that Canada would sanction key individuals, businesses, and entities in Georgia that ‘are involved either in human rights violations or corruption’, and that more details would follow. 
• A group of queer activists gathered in front of the ruling Georgian Dream party’s office in Tbilisi in protest against the anti-queer legislation which came into force today. Notably, they were joined spontaneously by other protesters demonstrating against the government’s halting of Georgia’s EU bid in a show of solidarity.
• The Georgian Ambassador to Czechia resigned, the latest of a series of high profile figures to resign from Georgia’s Foreign Ministry.