Police cracks on revival protests in Georgia | Protest news
Opposition leader Nika Melia and former Mayor Gigi Ugulwa were arrested during a rally in Tabilisi.
Democracy protests are back to life in Georgia.
Several opposition protesters, including two opposition leaders, were arrested late on Sunday during a major demonstration against the governing party in the capital Tabilisi. The rally marked the revival of massive protests at the end of last year.
Georgians have been protesting daily against the ruling Georgia Dream Party since November, although the incidents were calm since the turn of the year. Opposition groups claim that voter fraud helped the governing party to maintain power in the elections in October 2024.
They also object to laws that they see as ruling and claim that the Georgian Sapna is trying to pull the country back towards Russia, stopping efforts to join the European Union.
On Sunday night, he returned with a fresh protest, as thousands of people gathered on the northern shore of Tabilisi, blocking the road out of the city.
Nika Melia, liberal supporter European Akhli party leader, and a prominent opposition person, former Tabilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulwa was arrested during the protest.
According to Melia’s counsel, the opposition leader was “arrested on charges of an administrative crime” and was released immediately after midnight after signing the promise of appearing in court.
Independent TV Pirvelli News Station beat up police footage of protesters detained brutally.
Under the direct orders of the Ivanishwilli, the government once again increased the violence, brought back the massive repression on a full scale along with the target vengeance, the masked forces brutally punish peaceful protesters, women and journalists Posted for#GEORGIAPROTESS #Terroringeorgia pic.twitter.com/x65fti6bpl
– Georgi Gakharia (@gakhariagiorgi) 3 February, 2025
Former Prime Minister and opposition leader Georgi Gakharia accused Bidzina Ivanishwili, the founder of Georgian Dream, who once again “Escalat (ING) violence with any official status to bring a large scale suppression on a full -scale repression with (and) targeted vengeance Do not keep
Later, the mob resumes its protests outside Parliament at the center of the Tabilisi, where small programs have been held in recent weeks.
Kaza Kalas, head of the European Union’s foreign policy, condemned the functions of the authorities, on Sunday night wrote that “the cruel action on peaceful protesters, journalists and politicians was” “unacceptable”.
“Georgia is less than any expectation from a candidate. The European Union stood with the people of Georgia in its fight for independence and democracy, ”he said.
The cruel action on peaceful protesters, journalists and politicians is unacceptable tonight in Tabilisi.
Georgia, a candidate, decreases with any expectation from the country.
The European Union stands with the people of Georgia in its fight for independence and democracy.
– Kaja Kalas (@Kajakallas) 2 February, 2025
Along with the protesters, accusing the governing party in the October election, the protesters are also angry about the government’s decision to postpon the European Union’s reception negotiations by 2028.
The goal of joining the European Union was first adopted as part of the Constitution of Georgia in 2017.
Last week, Brussels suspended a visa-free journey for the European Union for Georgian diplomats and officials, with many oppressive laws adopting and “violent oppression by Georgian officials against” peaceful protesters, politicians and independent media ” Did
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, during the first wave of protests in November, the riot police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse the mob, with more than 400 people arrested.
Georgian rights activists have also slammed what they refer to as a campaign of threats against the protesters.
