Tensions in Georgia reached a critical point on December 5, 2024, as mass protests continued for the eighth consecutive day, with developments spanning from arrests and police crackdowns to international responses and cultural strikes. The streets of Tbilisi and other cities remain filled with demonstrators voicing discontent over the government’s policies and its perceived retreat from European integration.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) reported multiple arrests throughout the day, targeting individuals accused of organizing and leading group violence, hooliganism, and even planning an explosion. Notably, a foreign citizen and a minor were among those detained. The arrests were accompanied by allegations of excessive force, with the Public Defender’s Office reporting that 188 out of 260 detainees had experienced police misconduct, further fueling public outrage.
Cultural figures joined the protests with nearly 100 Georgian musicians announcing a strike, refusing to participate in state-funded events. They condemned the government for its violent suppression of peaceful demonstrators, pledging their continued fight to restore democratic values and align Georgia with its European aspirations.
The situation took a turn for the worse when Aleko Elisashvili, leader of the opposition coalition Strong Georgia, was hospitalized with serious injuries following his arrest. The Prosecutor General’s Office charged Elisashvili with political discrimination, accusing him of violence against a ruling party ally. This move sparked further criticism from both domestic and international observers, who see it as a targeted attack on political opponents.
In Kutaisi, the arrest of a 15-year-old demonstrator, captured in video footage showing him semi-conscious after a confrontation with police, drew widespread condemnation. Meanwhile, students, cultural sector representatives, and civil society groups continued to stage demonstrations across Georgia, with major roads blocked in several regions.
The international community weighed in heavily. Ukraine imposed sanctions on Georgian oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili and his associates, accusing them of betraying Georgia’s interests. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged global powers to follow suit. Germany’s Foreign Minister called for Georgia’s government to return to its European path, while the Netherlands pushed for suspending Georgia’s visa-free regime with the EU, citing the government’s violent suppression of protests and arrests of opposition figures.
Amidst the escalating unrest, the Georgian opposition announced the launch of a United Opposition Information Center to counter government narratives and keep citizens informed about ongoing developments. Protesters, on the other hand, showed no signs of backing down, continuing their demands for EU integration, new elections, and the release of detainees.
As the day ended, the political crisis in Georgia remained unresolved, with growing domestic and international pressure on the government to address the demands of its citizens and de-escalate tensions. What began as a fight for democratic values has now become a broader movement challenging the country’s political trajectory, raising questions about its future and commitment to European ideals.
