Home » News » At least 43 people were arrested in Georgia following protests against the decision to postpone its accession to the EU

At least 43 people were arrested in Georgia following protests against the decision to postpone its accession to the EU

Thousands of protesters clashed with police in Georgia over the decision to postpone EU accession until 2028 (REUTERS/Irakli Gedenidze)

riot police Georgia used tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets against thousands of protesters in Tbilisiwho were protesting the prime minister’s decision Irakli Kobayidze to delay until 2028 the country’s plans to join the European Union (EU).

A total of 43 personas were arrested for the incidents that occurred during the demonstration, reported this Friday the Ministry of the Interior through a statement on its website.

According to the institution, the arrests were made on charges of “disobedience to law enforcement officers and minor vandalism.” Besides, 32 security forces personnel were injured, of which 13 required surgery due to serious injuries to the head, eyes and body.

The Ministry accused “some” protesters of carrying out “provocative actions”such as ignoring the instructions of the police, insulting them and physically confronting them.

In its statement, the organization denounced that these “illegal and violent actions” They caused damage to infrastructure and injuries of varying severity to the agents. To control the situation, the Ministry defended the use of “the special means permitted by law” in order to dissolve the protest.

The clashes, which began shortly after midnight, left scenes of burning barricades, arrests and violencein a context of growing political and social tension.

The clashes left scenes of burning barricades, arrests and acts of violence (REUTERS/Irakli Gedenidze)

Waving European and Georgian flags, The protesters blocked the main avenue of the capital and gathered in front of Parliamentdemanding that the government resume the integration agenda with the UE.

According to local media, law enforcement not only attacked protesters, but also journalists covering the protest.

The social outbreak in Georgia was triggered by the prime minister’s announcement Irakli Kobayidzewho justified the postponement of EU accession by accusing “some European politicians” of exercising “blackmail.”

Kobajidze stated that the issue of joining the bloc would not be “on the agenda until the end of 2028”although he assured that his government will continue working on the reforms required by Brussels to “become a Member State in 2030”.

The announcement came hours after the European Parliament approved a non-binding resolution in which it denounced “significant irregularities” in the October legislative elections and asked to repeat them within a year.

These elections were won by the ruling party. Georgian Dreamwho was accused of having close ties with Moscow and committing electoral fraud, according to complaints from the opposition and international observers.

The social outbreak in Georgia was triggered by the announcement of Prime Minister Irakli Kobajidze, who justified the postponement of EU accession by accusing “some European politicians” of exercising “blackmail” (REUTERS/Irakli Gedenidze)

The European Commissionfor its part, had frozen the accession process in 2023, citing concerns about democratic setbacks in the country.

Despite being recognized as an official EU candidate in December of that same year, political instability and accusations of corruption hindered Georgia’s path towards European integration.

Kobajidze’s decision was seen by many as a departure from the pro-European project supported by large sectors of the Georgian population. The Georgian Dream party faced strong criticism for its alleged proximity to Russiaan especially sensitive topic in Georgia, given its recent history.

In 2008, The country fought a brief war with Russia, which resulted in the occupation of the breakaway territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia by Russian forces..

Since then, much of Georgian society considers Moscow as a direct threat to its sovereignty, which reinforced the desire to get closer to the EU and the I’LL TAKE.

The protesters blocked the main avenue of the capital and gathered in front of Parliament, demanding that the government resume the integration agenda with the EU (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)

The protests in Tbilisi are just the most recent chapter of months of citizen mobilizations in Georgia, many of which were led by pro-European movements that demand greater progress from the government in democratic matters.

(With information from AFP)

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