EU’s high rep: Georgia fails to meet expectations as EU candidate country

EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas has described the arrests during the protests in Tbilisi on February 2 as unacceptable.

“The brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters, journalists and politicians tonight in Tbilisi is unacceptable. Georgia falls short of any expectation from a candidate country. The EU stands with the people of Georgia in their fight for freedom and democracy,” Caliber.Az reports, citing Kallas' message on X. 

Tensions escalated in Tbilisi on February 2 as clashes broke out between protesters and law enforcement, resulting in multiple detentions.  The demonstration, which began peacefully near Tbilisi Mall, later led to a partial blockade of a major road before police intervened to disperse the crowd.

Several hundred protesters gathered outside Tbilisi Mall, where they voiced anti-government slogans. The demonstration remained peaceful at first, with participants primarily stationed near the mall’s main entrance. 

Opposition representatives were also present. In anticipation of possible disruptions, the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs issued a statement earlier in the day, warning that blocking the entrance to Tbilisi—a strategic international road—could result in criminal charges. Despite the ongoing demonstration, the shopping center continued to operate as usual. As the protest gained momentum, demonstrators began marching along the roadway, partially obstructing traffic leading out of the capital. 

On January 31, the Georgian government made changes to the legislation, adding roads of international and domestic significance to the list of strategic objects. The authorities claim that blocking the road near Tbilisi Mall falls under Article 222 of the Criminal Code of Georgia (seizing or blocking broadcasting or communication facilities), which prescribes a penalty of corrective labour or imprisonment for up to two years. If the same act is committed by a group of individuals or repeatedly, the penalties are increased to up to four years of imprisonment.

By Naila Huseynova