Protests resume in Georgia against government policy

The protests resumed on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi on December 4 evening. At this moment, citizens who disagree with the current government's policy are gathering once again in front of the Georgian parliament.

The protesters are holding flags of Georgia and the EU. Police forces have been deployed on the streets surrounding the parliament building, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media. 

Director of the Central Criminal Police Department of the Georgian Interior Ministry Teimuraz Kupatadze has said that seven individuals were detained during searches conducted at the offices of opposition political parties and organisations. "Following operational activities and investigative actions, police have detained seven individuals on charges of organising and leading group violence, as well as participating in such violence," Kupatadze stated at the briefing.

He noted that the ministry is investigating the recent protests in Tbilisi under criminal charges related to organised violence and the creation of illegal groups.

"A criminal case has been filed under Articles 225 [organisation, leadership, or participation in group violence] and 239 [formation of an illegal group] of the Criminal Code of Georgia due to incidents of violence during the protests in Tbilisi," he added.

Protests in Georgia began following the ruling Georgian Dream party's decision to postpone negotiations for EU membership until 2028.

The demonstrations, which have lasted for seven days, continue in Tbilisi and other cities across the country. In the Georgian capital, clashes between protesters and police have occurred every night in recent days.

On the previous day, police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds, while protesters retaliated with fireworks and other forms of pyrotechnics.

By Naila Huseynova