Georgia says last day of Tbilisi protests saw 26 people hospitalised

At least 26 people were injured during unrest at a protest held outside the Georgian Parliament building in Tbilisi, according to a statement from Georgia’s Ministry of Health.

“On December 2, following the protest, teams from the Emergency Coordination and Ambulance Center transported 26 people to medical facilities, including 23 protest participants and three employees of the Interior Ministry. Some of the injured remain under medical supervision in clinics, while others have already been discharged,” the statement reads, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

The Ministry confirmed that none of the injuries were life-threatening.

It added that medical assistance was provided to all citizens in need.

As reported earlier, Georgian demonstrators were dispersed on the morning of December 3 after a fifth night of skirmishes with security forces. Currently, the square in front of the Georgian Parliament is entirely cleared of protesters. 

Notably, the protests in Tbilisi erupted on November 28 after the Georgian government announced it would suspend negotiations on joining the European Union until 2028. This decision, which shocked many, ignited public outcry, with protesters gathering near the Georgian parliament. The protests were further fueled by the political context surrounding Georgia's future aspirations, as citizens and political figures, including President Salome Zourabichvili, expressed their discontent over the government's shift away from European integration​

The protests, which started as peaceful demonstrations, quickly escalated when police used force to disperse crowds, including water cannons and rubber bullets. According to the Georgian Interior Ministry, 224 protesters were arrested over a four-day period, with three facing criminal investigations. Over 40 individuals, including both protesters and police officers, were hospitalized during that period. The harsh crackdown highlighted tensions between the Georgian authorities and those advocating for closer ties with the EU.​

By Khagan Isayev