- Thousands protest in Tbilisi against the ruling Georgian Dream Party, calling out election fraud and authoritarianism.
- Leaders Nika Melia and Gigi Ugulava detained during Sunday’s demonstration, sparking outrage.
- European Union condemns Georgia’s crackdown on peaceful protests and delays in EU accession talks.
Police have cracked down on pro-democracy protests in Georgia as opposition movements reignited in the capital, Tbilisi.
Several anti-government protesters, including two prominent opposition leaders, were arrested late on Sunday during a large demonstration against the ruling party. The rally marked a resurgence of the mass protests that were seen late last year.
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Georgians have been protesting daily against the ruling Georgian Dream Party since November, though the protests had quieted after the start of the year. Opposition groups claim that voter fraud during the October 2024 elections helped the ruling party retain power.
They also criticize laws they view as authoritarian and accuse Georgian Dream of shifting the country’s focus back toward Russia, having paused efforts to join the European Union.
The protests reignited with renewed momentum on Sunday night as thousands gathered on the northern edge of Tbilisi, blocking a major road leading out of the city.
Opposition leaders Nika Melia, head of the liberal Akhali party, and former Tbilisi mayor Gigi Ugulava were arrested during the protest. Melia’s lawyer stated that he was detained on charges of administrative offenses but was released shortly after midnight after signing a promise to appear in court.
Independent news station TV Pirveli aired footage of police using excessive force, reportedly beating detained protesters.
Former prime minister and opposition leader Giorgi Gakharia accused Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of Georgian Dream, of escalating violence and bringing back mass repression.
Later, protests continued outside the parliament in central Tbilisi, where smaller gatherings had taken place in recent weeks.
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, condemned the crackdown, calling the violence against protesters, journalists, and politicians “unacceptable” on X. She added that Georgia’s actions fall short of expectations for a candidate country, asserting that the EU stands with the people of Georgia in their fight for freedom and democracy.
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In addition to accusations of election fraud, protesters are also angered by the government’s decision to delay EU accession talks until 2028. The goal of joining the EU was enshrined in Georgia’s constitution in 2017.
The EU recently suspended visa-free travel for Georgian diplomats and officials due to the adoption of repressive laws and the violent crackdown on peaceful protests.
During the initial wave of protests in November, riot police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds, arresting over 400 people. Georgian human rights activists have also condemned a campaign of intimidation against protesters.
