Protests against abandonment of EU accession talks resume in Georgia – photos

Stock photo: Getty Images

A protest is taking place in Tbilisi, near the building of a public broadcaster, in response to the ruling Georgian Dream party’s decision to abandon negotiations on joining the European Union.

Source: European Pravda, citing Georgian news outlet Sova

Details: Protesters are demanding that the public broadcaster provide airtime for their cause and cover the violence that occurred during the rallies.

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Protesters near the public broadcaster’s building

Photo: TV Pirveli

“The fact that the media should be free is no longer a question in democratic states. Article 78, which was once sought by Georgian society, is enshrined in the Constitution,” one protester said.

The protest also gathered near the Tbilisi State University. Students came to the university building with photos of the people injured during a recent violent crackdown.

Students near the Tbilisi State University

Photo: TV Pirveli

The students plan to join the protest later at the Georgian parliament building.

A protest is also taking place in Batumi, where protesters blocked the central Gamsakhurdia Avenue.

Protesters in Batumi

Photo: TV Pirveli

Background: 

• On Thursday, 28 November, Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze of the ruling Georgian Dream party confirmed that Tbilisi would not be negotiating EU membership “until the end of 2028”.
• Several Georgian ministries have already criticised this decision. President Salome Zourabichvili later stated that the ruling party had declared war on its own people.
• On the evening of Thursday, a large demonstration took place under the walls of the parliament in Tbilisi and there were clashes with the police. Protesters were brutally dispersed with water cannons and tear gas. The security forces used physical violence against people, including journalists and their equipment.
• The protest continued on Friday evening, and police again resorted to violence against the protesters.

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