Night of clashes in Georgia: Special forces disperse protesters on capital's Rustaveli Avenue

Protests in Tbilisi took a dramatic turn as Georgian special forces cleared Rustaveli Avenue early in the morning of December 2, detaining several participants. 

The special forces maintained a cordon on the avenue throughout the night, preventing demonstrators from returning to the parliament building, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

By dawn, the remaining protesters were pushed toward Rustaveli metro station, where another police line awaited them. After protesters passed the cordon, officers reportedly pursued and detained several individuals.

This marks the fourth consecutive night of anti-government protests, which routinely continue until dawn and culminate in dispersal by law enforcement.

Government's response

The Georgian Interior Ministry reported injuries among 113 police officers during recent protests, with four still hospitalized. Operational footage broadcasted on Georgian television showed medics treating officers for burns caused by fireworks thrown by demonstrators.

Deputy Interior Minister Alexander Darakhvelidze highlighted the escalation of violence:

“Some protesters continue to resort to violence. Police units are using water cannons to counteract aggressive groups, but violent actions persist,” he said.

Darakhvelidze also detailed property damage caused by protesters, including shattered windows, flammable substances thrown into the parliament building, and fires ignited with pyrotechnics.

The MIA appealed to parents to remove children from the protest sites, citing risks to their safety in an increasingly aggressive environment:

"Current demonstrations have repeatedly crossed the boundaries of peaceful assembly, turning violent. We urge parents to protect their children from this hazardous situation," the ministry said.

Extensive damage to Parliament building

Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili provided an assessment of the damage inflicted on the legislative building:

“Contrary to the impression created by some media, this was not merely a symbolic act. Forty-eight working rooms were damaged, windows were broken, office equipment destroyed, and the cafeteria was completely burned.”

Background to the protests

The protests began on November 28, following Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's announcement that Georgia would suspend negotiations on European Union membership until 2028 and reject EU budgetary grants. Kobakhidze attributed this decision to "constant blackmail" by the EU, which he said had pressured Georgia to repeal certain laws and impose sanctions on its government.

The decision has sparked widespread discontent, with nightly protests taking place in Tbilisi and other cities. Demonstrators demand a reversal of the government’s stance and call for alignment with European integration aspirations.

The protests are ongoing, with tensions between demonstrators and law enforcement showing no signs of easing.