13.12.2024 – Translated from Ukrainian via Google and OFP
On the 16th day, anti-government protests in Georgia , contrary to the expectations of the political opposition, began early in the morning and engulfed the entire city of Tbilisi. Similar actions are taking place in other cities of the country. Even in Batumi, where there is heavy rain and storm wind, people went out to street protests.
Earlier, the opposition predicted that December 12 and 13 “would be quiet” since the parliamentary elections were scheduled for the 14th – accordingly, the most massive protests were planned for December 14. However, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze “helped” gather people for protest rallies the day before the hour X.
In particular, it was announced that the mayor’s office was installing a Christmas tree near the Georgian parliament building, which they planned to “ceremoniously light” tomorrow evening. Kakha Kaladze’s intentions to start celebrating already angered people even more, so that on the 16th day, anti-government protests began from the very morning.
As is well known, the Ukrainian Euromaidan turned into a Revolution precisely at the time when the authorities were planning to install and light the “Yolka” on Independence Square.
The current President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, also recalled this, stating that the ruling party’s plans for a Christmas tree near the parliament building “are a senseless provocation.” And she called the presidential elections scheduled in parliament “a parody.”
In Batumi, as reported from the city, Batumi sailors and psychologists joined the protest, expressing their support for Georgia’s pro-European course.
For the first time since the protests began, the Georgian Orthodox Church expressed its position. In a statement by Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II, there was a call to “prevent uncontrolled processes through dialogue.” Moreover, it is the ruling party that is being called to dialogue.
Meanwhile, the ruling party assures that it is working. And indeed, it is working – on December 13, the parliamentary majority of the Georgian Dream hastily approved a number of amendments increasing fines for violations at rallies.
In particular, the fine for violating the rules of gatherings and demonstrations has been increased from 500 to 5,000 lari, and for organizers – from 5,000 to 15 thousand lari. And against a minor, “the legal demands of a law enforcement officer” now entails a fine in Georgia in the amount of 100 to 300 non-taxable minimums.
As OBOZ.UA reported , in Tbilisi alone, security forces injured more than 70 journalists and cameramen. However, the Special Investigative Service has not yet identified a single culprit.
Protests in the country have been ongoing since November 28, when people took to the streets in the Georgian capital Tbilisi after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that the country would not join the EU until 2028. Protesters said such actions jeopardized the country’s future.
Security forces began to disperse the protesters, using tear gas and water cannons. There were reports of violent arrests, beatings of journalists and opposition leaders, people’s limbs and noses were broken, and heads were smashed.
Since then, Georgians have been protesting every day .
Already after the first “night of protests” President Zurabishvili turned to Europe because of the protests in Tbilisi .
Overall, the anti-government protests in Georgia are reminiscent of the Maidan in Ukraine in 2013-2014 . However, today’s events are different in that the Georgians do not have a clear leader or a united opposition, and the demonstrations are not clearly organized and are quite chaotic.