Police disperse opposition rally in Georgia, injuries reported

Around 7:30 a.m. Kyiv time, the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) reported that 43 protesters had been detained.  

"During the rally, law enforcement detained 43 individuals under Articles 166 and 173 of the Administrative Offenses Code for disobeying lawful police orders and petty hooliganism. An investigation is underway regarding the violations that occurred during the protest," the MIA's statement noted.  

The MIA added that during the rally, some participants "repeatedly engaged in provocative actions." According to the statement, law enforcement officials "repeatedly urged the rally's organizers and aggressive groups to express their protest within the legal framework, but they ignored the officers' directives, verbally insulted them, and engaged in physical altercations."  

The ministry also reported that "as a result of unlawful and violent actions by protesters, 32 MIA officers were injured." It was noted that some officers sustained severe head, eye, and body injuries, with 13 requiring surgery, and as of the time of the statement, one officer remained hospitalized.  

The MIA of Georgia did not provide information on the condition of the detained protesters.

Security forces acted with particular harshness against journalists

The Georgian service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty also reported on the events in Tbilisi.  

As of 9:30 a.m. local time (6:30 a.m. Kyiv time) on November 29, at least 16 protesters had been detained in Tbilisi. Transparency International-Georgia stated that by that time, “the legal assistance hotline of Georgian non-governmental organizations had received information about 16 individuals, 4 of whom were hospitalized, while the remaining 12 had not yet been placed in detention facilities.”  

Later, Radio Liberty's Echo of the Caucasus project reported that security forces acted with particular brutality against journalists performing their professional duties. At least 15 media representatives were injured.  

Among the injured was Echo of the Caucasus and Radio Liberty journalist David Tsagareli, who was struck in the stomach by a special forces officer while broadcasting live.  

Another injured journalist was Guram Rogava of the Formula television channel. He was struck by a security officer, causing him to fall. Rogava was subsequently hospitalized with a head injury.

The President of Georgia awaits Europe’s response  

President Salome Zourabichvili participated in the protest. According to Paper Kartuli, she addressed the special forces, asking them who they serve—Russia or Georgia—and to whom they had pledged their oath.  

Later, Salome Zourabichvili wrote on the social network X that she expects a strong reaction from European capitals to the events unfolding in central Tbilisi.  

Irakli Kobakhidze announced Georgia’s decision to halt EU negotiations  

This was reported by the Georgian service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.  

"Today, we decided not to put the issue of opening negotiations with the European Union on the agenda until the end of 2028. Additionally, until the end of 2028, we refuse any budgetary subsidies from the European Union. The end of 2028 will be the time when Georgia is ready, properly prepared from an economic standpoint, to begin negotiations for EU membership in 2030," Kobakhidze stated.  

He added that Georgia does not intend to join the EU "by begging and standing on one leg." According to him, the country aims to join the bloc "with dignity, a healthy democratic system, and a strong economy."  

In turn, President Salome Zourabichvili stated: "This day marked the end of a constitutional coup, a shift away from Europe toward Russia. Today, an illegitimate government declared war on its own people.”

A spontaneous rally began near the Georgian Parliament building.  

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry's reaction

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine issued a statement regarding the escalation of the internal political situation in Georgia, strongly condemning the use of force against a peaceful protest in Tbilisi.  

"We call on the Georgian authorities to respect the right of citizens to peaceful protest and to refrain from violence and provocations. The escalation of the political situation in Georgia is a consequence of numerous violations during the parliamentary elections on October 26. All violations documented by international observers must be investigated, and those responsible must be held accountable," the statement read.  

The Ministry also expressed disappointment with the Georgian government’s decision to suspend EU membership negotiations until 2028.  

"This decision, along with the use of force against peaceful protests, is evidence of the rollback of democratic processes in the country in favor of Moscow. It is no coincidence that the Georgian leadership has already received public praise from the Kremlin for actions that go against the European aspirations of its own people," the Ukrainian MFA added.  

The Ministry further urged the Georgian government to respect the aspirations of the vast majority of Georgians to be an integral part of a free and democratic Europe and to resume all necessary reforms required for the country to achieve EU membership.

Protests erupt over decision to abandon EU accession talks  

This was reported by Radio Liberty’s Echo of the Caucasus project.  

Spontaneous rallies took place on November 28 near the central office of the ruling party Georgian Dream and the Parliament building in Tbilisi. The protest was organized through social media.  

Protesters stated that the decision to abandon negotiations on Georgia’s EU membership not only violates Article 78 of the Georgian Constitution, which declares the country’s aspiration for European integration, but also constitutes a betrayal of national interests. They emphasized that such a decision threatens Georgia’s future and undermines years of efforts to strengthen ties with Europe.  

Demonstrators remained on the streets of Tbilisi throughout the night. Clashes broke out with law enforcement officers who attempted to disperse the protesters, using water cannons and physical force.  

During the protest, media representatives were among those injured. Georgian security forces interfered with journalists’ work and "cleared" the area in front of the Parliament.  

Protesters responded by building barricades. 

Elections in Georgia and protests: background

On Saturday, October 26, parliamentary elections were held in Georgia. The country’s Central Election Commission declared the ruling pro-Russian party Georgian Dream as the winner, with 54% of the vote. The party's campaign was based on rejecting EU and NATO membership, claiming they posed a threat of war to Georgia. To support these claims, Georgian Dream used billboards and videos featuring images of destroyed Ukrainian cities.  

President of the European Council Charles Michel called on Georgia’s Central Election Commission to investigate and address violations during the vote count. Meanwhile, on the evening of October 27, Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili issued a statement highlighting "widespread falsification and confiscation of votes."  

On the evening of October 28, protests erupted in Georgia's capital after the announcement of the parliamentary election results. Approximately 15,000 people gathered outside the Parliament building in central Tbilisi.  

On October 30, the Georgian Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation into alleged falsification of the parliamentary elections, citing criminal offenses. As part of the investigation, President Zourabichvili was summoned for questioning, but she refused. The next day, it was revealed that the Prosecutor’s Office was investigating 47 cases related to alleged crimes committed during the pre-election period and on election day. Law enforcement also detained two individuals on suspicion of ballot-stuffing.  

Georgia’s opposition parties announced plans for a second protest against the recognition of the parliamentary election results. Later, Georgia's Court of Appeals overturned a decision to annul results from several polling stations due to violations of voting secrecy during the parliamentary elections.  

Members of opposition coalitions in Georgia renounced their parliamentary mandates in protest against the election results.  

On November 28, the Georgian Parliament approved a new government led by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. Following this, the European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning the October 26 parliamentary elections in Georgia and calling for new elections to be held.