Georgian police detain 7 protesters demanding new elections

On January 18, seven protesters were detained in Tbilisi, Georgia, outside a district police station during a demonstration calling for new parliamentary elections.

Several hundred protesters are gathered outside Georgia's parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue, with many wearing masks. The protesters are demanding fresh elections, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

The detentions followed the protesters’ decision to wear masks, which is prohibited under recent amendments to Georgia's law on assemblies and demonstrations.

The protest, now in its 52nd day, shows no signs of ending.

On November 28, 2024, the European Parliament refused to recognize the results of parliamentary elections in Georgia and called for sanctions against the leaders of the Georgian Dream. On the same day, the Prime Minister announced that Georgia would refuse to negotiate its accession to the European Union by the end of 2028. After this statement, protests began in the country.

In December 2024, widespread protests erupted after the governing Georgian Dream party suspended talks aimed at joining the European Union until 2028. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced the decision after the European Parliament rejected the results of Georgia’s October 26 parliamentary elections due to "significant irregularities." The suspension of EU accession talks led to tens of thousands of demonstrators clashing with riot police in Tbilisi and other cities, with protesters waving EU flags and demanding new elections. The government's response included the use of tear gas and water cannons, resulting in numerous arrests.

Amidst the unrest, Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former Manchester City footballer, was inaugurated as Georgia's president. His rise to power has been controversial, with critics arguing that his presidency represents a move to pull Georgia away from European integration and back into Moscow's sphere of influence. Many citizens have not accepted his presidency, resulting in widespread protests and accusations of electoral malpractice.

By Khagan Isayev