Georgia erupts in protests over EU talks suspension and election fraud
The Georgians are protesting on the streets once again. Supporters of European integration, unhappy with the Prime Minister's decision to suspend talks with the EU, have gathered in protest. A viral internet moment features an elderly woman confronting heavily armed police officers. "Whose millions and palaces are you protecting?" she asked.
In Georgia's capital, thousands of residents took to the streets. The same occurred in Batumi and Kutaisi. Georgians are now protesting not only against the alleged falsification of the October parliamentary elections by the ruling Georgian Dream party.
They are also dissatisfied with Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's decision. He announced that the government is suspending accession talks with the European Union until 2028 and will not accept European grants. The European Parliament's call for EU sanctions against the Georgian Prime Minister influenced the decision. MEPs were also unaware of the parliamentary election results and called for a rerun. Russia was also condemned for interfering in the Georgian elections.
According to "Belsat," this sparked outrage among supporters of European integration, who organized mass protests in Tbilisi and other Georgian cities. Demonstrations in the capital were met with a harsh response from the police. Prime Minister Kobakhidze thanked the police for defending the state's system.
The police reportedly used a mixture of water with chemicals. Many people were injured, and human rights organizations are demanding full details on what the police used in clashes with citizens.
According to official reports, 43 people were detained, and dozens of protesters were injured, including about 20 journalists, as reported by Georgian media.
A symbolic recording shows an elderly woman, unafraid, speaking to the armed special forces officers, urging them to reflect on their actions against their countrymen. The portal Belsat shared the video on social media.
Georgian against Georgian. What could be more humiliating? If I figured it out, why can't you? Whose millions and palaces are you protecting? Georgian Dream has been in power for 12 years. Where did they come from? Who raised them? - the elderly woman said to the armed police officers.
