Over 220 detained as protests erupt in Tbilisi over EU accession delay

More than 220 protesters have been detained by law enforcement during recent protests near the Georgian parliament in Tbilisi, the country’s Interior Ministry said.

The arrests were made on charges of hooliganism, as well as resistance and disobedience to the police, Caliber.Az reports.

The Interior Ministry’s report states that a total of 224 individuals were arrested under the Code of Administrative Offences. Of these, the administrative cases of 98 people have been transferred to the Tbilisi City Court, with 74 cases already concluded. Among the 74 completed cases, 36 individuals were fined, while 34 faced administrative arrest.

The remaining cases related to administrative offences are still under review in the courts, the Interior Ministry added.

The protests, sparked by the government’s decision to suspend European Union accession talks until 2028, have been ongoing for several days, drawing tens of thousands of demonstrators to Rustaveli Avenue. Protesters have accused the government of betraying the country's aspirations for closer ties with Europe. 

By Vafa Guliyeva