Tbilisi:On Sunday, Georgian police detained two opposition leaders during a street protest against the ruling Georgian Dream party, which has faced criticism for moving away from democratic values and steering the country closer to Russia.
Mass protests have been ongoing in Georgia since the October parliamentary elections, which the opposition claims were fraudulent. Tensions further escalated when Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced on November 28 that the government would delay pursuing European Union membership talks until 2028, fueling public outcry.
During Sunday’s protest, police arrested Nika Melia, leader of the liberal pro-European Akhali party, and Gigi Ugulava, former mayor of Tbilisi and a prominent opposition figure. Both leaders had previously been imprisoned under charges criticized by rights groups as politically motivated. The arrests occurred as thousands of protesters attempted to block a highway leading to the capital. Several other individuals were detained, with some reportedly injured during the crackdown. Independent TV station Pirveli broadcasted footage showing police using excessive force against detained protesters.
A 22-year-old student at the protest, Kote Baramia, commented, “This police violence proves the government is scared. We will not give upβour democracy is at stake.”
Georgia’s rights ombudsman, Levan Ioseliani, expressed concern over police brutality, particularly the excessive use of force against citizens, journalists, and politicians.
Zviad Kharazishvili, head of the Tbilisi police special task department, who has been sanctioned by the UK and the US for human rights abuses, was reportedly seen using profane language towards protesters.
Following the arrests, demonstrators marched several kilometers toward the parliament building, where daily protests are traditionally held. The Ministry of the Interior had previously warned that blocking the highway was a criminal offense punishable by up to four years in prison.
In the initial wave of protests in late November, riot police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds, resulting in over 400 arrests. Human rights officials, including Ioseliani and organizations like Amnesty International, have accused Georgian authorities of torturing detainees and using intimidation tactics against protesters.
The government of Georgian Dream has faced mounting international criticism for democratic backsliding and its increasingly close ties with Russia. The European Union and the United States have raised concerns about the country’s democratic decline and the violent treatment of protesters. In response, Brussels suspended visa-free travel for Georgian diplomats, citing the violent suppression of protests and the adoption of repressive laws.
The United States and European countries have also imposed sanctions on Georgian officials, accusing the government of undermining Georgia’s European aspirations and cracking down on dissent following the disputed election.
Amid the largest anti-government protests in Georgia’s history, the country is also in the midst of a constitutional crisis, with the opposition refusing to enter the newly elected parliament. Pro-Western President Salome Zurabishvili has declared the legislature and the government illegitimate, while Mikheil Kavelashvili, a far-right politician loyal to the ruling party, was inaugurated as her successor following a controversial election process. Despite the inauguration, Zurabishvili insists she remains the legitimate leader.
