Special forces disperse protesters from Tbilisi’s Parliament square with tear gas, water cannons

Special forces in Tbilisi have successfully cleared Parliament Square of protesters, who stand against the delay of negotiations for European Union accession until at least 2028.

Law enforcement advanced on the demonstrators from three directions, encircling them in a semi-circle, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

Special forces used tear gas capsules and water cannons to disperse the crowd, accompanied by warning sirens urging protesters to leave the area.

Currently, the square in front of the Georgian Parliament is entirely cleared of demonstrators. Special forces have positioned themselves in the middle of Rustaveli Avenue, where the legislative body is located. While some protesters fled the scene, several were detained. A few demonstrators remain but are stationed far from the parliament. No direct clashes between protesters and law enforcement have been reported.

Prior to the above developments, members of the opposition attacked offices of the ruling Georgian Dream party, according to Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.

"Yesterday, they attempted to set fire to our office in Kutaisi. Today, they stoned the party office in Zestafoni and injured a woman staff member," the prime minister stated.

Kobakhidze emphasized that despite these provocations, the ruling party does not intend to respond with similar actions.

Notably, the protests in Tbilisi erupted in late November 2024 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. Forty-four individuals, including both protesters and police officers, were hospitalized. The harsh crackdown highlighted tensions between the Georgian authorities and those advocating for closer ties with the EU.​

By Khagan Isayev