(CLO) On the evening of December 4, 2024, in the capital Tbilisi, the leader of the main opposition party in Georgia, Nika Gvaramia, was arrested by police along with a series of other figures during protests against the government.
For seven consecutive nights, thousands of Georgians have protested to overturn the election results and protest the government's suspension of accession talks with the European Union (EU).
An activist waves a Georgian flag outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia December 4, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Irakli Gedenidze
The opposition Alliance for Change party posted a video on social media network X, showing Mr Gvaramia, 48, a former communications manager turned politician, being escorted unconscious by several men.
In addition to Gvaramia, police also arrested Aleko Elisashvili, leader of the opposition party Strong Georgia, a leader of the Dafioni youth movement, and at least six other members of opposition parties.
Georgia's Interior Ministry said it had arrested seven people on charges of "organizing and leading mass violence", which carries a penalty of up to nine years in prison. Searches of some of the suspects' homes turned up air guns, fireworks and petrol bombs.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has denied accusations of repression against the opposition, saying it was only a “preventative” measure to prevent violence and protect the rule of law. He accused the opposition of supplying fireworks to protesters to attack law enforcement.
Meanwhile, human rights organizations and the EU have expressed concern. EU foreign affairs spokeswoman Anitta Hipper called on Georgian authorities to stop using excessive force and ensure the right to "freedom of assembly".
Anti-government protests have plunged the country of 3.7 million people into crisis. President Salome Zourabichvili, who has a pro-EU stance, has called on the West to step up its intervention with Georgia.
In contrast, Prime Minister Kobakhidze accused opponents of plotting a “revolution,” similar to Ukraine’s 2014 Maidan Revolution that led to the overthrow of the government.
“In Georgia, the Maidan scenario cannot be realized. Georgia is a state, and of course the state will not allow this,” Mr. Kobakhidze told local media recently.
Hong Hanh (according to AJ, Reuters, TASS)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/canh-sat-georgia-bat-hang-loat-nhan-vat-doi-lap-khi-bieu-tinh-ngay-cang-bao-luc-post324238.html
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