Georgia is witnessing a surge in political tensions marked by protests, arrests, and calls for justice as citizens, activists, and opposition forces push back against what they perceive as increasing authoritarianism and systemic rights violations.
On December 9, activist Sandro Kinkladze was sentenced to 12 days in prison for disobeying police orders, following his December 8 arrest. Kinkladze reported being detained by officers, some of whom were not in uniform. In a separate case, peaceful demonstrators Saba Chankvetadze and Luka Kotiashvili were fined substantial amounts despite reports of police brutality during their detention.
Protests have been intensifying, with demonstrators gathering outside TV Imedi, accusing it of propagandistic, one-sided coverage. Opposition leaders have criticized the station for excluding diverse political voices. Concurrently, rallies near the Special Investigation Service (SIS) demanded accountability for recent police violence and the release of unlawfully detained individuals.
The Ombudsman of Georgia, Levan Ioseliani, has held meetings with both EU and U.S. ambassadors, highlighting excessive force used by law enforcement and stressing the need for investigations into mistreatment of protesters. EU Ambassador Pawel Herczynski described recent incidents as “horrific,” urging swift accountability for perpetrators.
Meanwhile, legislative changes proposed by Georgian Dream MPs aim to regulate pyrotechnic products, including their use during protests. Critics view these measures as a potential limitation on public demonstrations. The legislation introduces fines and penalties for non-compliance, including imprisonment for serious violations.
In Batumi, protests continue for the twelfth consecutive day, with demonstrators urging Public Service Hall employees to join the movement. Similar calls for solidarity were echoed by cultural representatives protesting at the Ministry of Culture. They emphasized the urgency of speaking out in defense of European Union values and fundamental rights.
Opposition parties have also united to document rights violations and hold accountable not only individual officers but also higher-level officials overseeing systemic abuses. Their joint statement underscored the lack of appropriate responses from law enforcement to protect society from identified criminal groups.
As tensions rise, the Georgian political landscape remains volatile, with protests and legal reforms shaping the nation’s trajectory amidst widespread calls for justice and accountability.
Let us recall that the protests in Georgia began escalating after the parliamentary elections, which the opposition declared as rigged. The situation intensified further when the government announced a freeze on the country’s European integration efforts.
