By the morning, special forces forced out opposition supporters from Rustaveli Avenue in front of the Georgian Parliament in Tbilisi, who were protesting against the authorities’ decision to suspend consideration of the start of negotiations on EU membership; at the moment, the area in front of the building is clear, the footage is broadcast by Georgian television companies.
⠀
Special forces pushed back the demonstrators throughout the night. Initially, security forces used a water cannon to clear the side entrances to parliament, then the central part of law enforcement joined in, heading from Freedom Square and clearing the square in front of parliament, also using a water cannon.
⠀
The demonstrators did not disperse throughout the night. They lit a fire and threw stones, bottles and firecrackers at the security forces. Numerous eyewitness videos of police officers detaining demonstrators have been circulated on social networks. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, more than 100 people were detained for hooliganism and disobedience to the police during a rally near the Georgian parliament, and 10 Interior Ministry employees were injured as a result of the scuffles.
⠀
Opposition protests began on Thursday after Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced the decision to suspend consideration of the issue of starting negotiations on Georgia’s membership in the EU until 2028. On Friday night, special forces dispersed the protesters using water cannons.
⠀
Parliamentary elections were held in Georgia on October 26. According to the Central Election Commission, the ruling Georgian Dream won 53.93% of the votes. Four opposition parties also entered parliament, receiving a total of 37.78%.
⠀
Representatives of the opposition stated that they do not recognize the CEC data. Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, who is helping the pro-European opposition, despite the fact that, according to the constitution, the president must be non-partisan, called for protests over the election results.
