The US has called on Georgia’s government to handle protestors with respect amidst claims of excessive force and even torture by riot police during a series of protests in Tbilisi. For six consecutive nights, protests have been taking place in the capital of Georgia due to the ruling party, Georgian Dream’s decision to cease negotiations for EU membership.
The US Embassy in Georgia voiced its concern through a cryptic Facebook post on December 4, stating, “Leadership with dignity?” This came in response to the Georgian government’s attempts to shift blame for the stalled EU membership process, and Washington’s decision to pause a strategic partnership.
On the same day, protestors were forced to relocate from the central Rustaveli Avenue to a nearby subway station after authorities blocked access to the parliament building and detained several protestors. Moreover, the law enforcement authorities initiated raids on opposition party offices, including the United National Movement and the Coalition for Change.
Nika Gvaramia, the founder of the Mtavari television network and a leader of the opposition party Akhali, was arrested by the police near the offices of allied parties. His lawyer stated that he was hit multiple times in the stomach during his arrest, causing him to lose his breath momentarily.
The crackdown didn’t stop at party offices; law enforcement also entered the home of Ilia Glonti, who manages the Facebook platform Daitove, known for organizing protest activities. Despite the increasing protests, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has held his ground, threatening to penalize political adversaries he believes are instigating the violence.
Three influential US senators issued a joint statement supporting the Georgian protestors and denouncing the government’s use of violence. They referred to the Georgian Dream’s decision to abandon EU membership negotiations as a betrayal of the Georgian people’s desire to embrace European values and institutions.
Georgia’s ombudsman accused the police of torturing pro-EU protestors, stating that they had received serious injuries. Protestors have shared accounts of the brutality they faced at the hands of security forces. This turmoil in Georgia started after the parliamentary elections in October, where the Georgian Dream secured 54 percent of the vote. The opposition and Western governments claimed that the polling process was tainted by violations and Russian influence.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy criticized the suppression of protestors and accused Georgia’s leaders of making the country increasingly dependent on Russia. He pledged that Ukraine is working with European nations to prepare a response, including potential sanctions.
Georgia received EU candidate status in December 2023, but its relationship with Brussels began to deteriorate in recent months, largely due to the adoption of a “foreign agent” law reminiscent of Russia. Critics argue that this law threatens media outlets and civil society groups by accusing them of serving external powers.
