The Georgian opposition celebrated the Georgian government's decision to suspend negotiations with the EU with a mass protest in Tbilisi. Participants on Friday gathered at Tbilisi State University and on Merab Kostava Street, from where they marched towards Rustaveli Avenue with posters and flags of Georgia and the EU. The event was attended by members of non-governmental organizations, representatives of opposition parties and ordinary people. Observers note that the intensity of protests is no longer the same as a year ago.
On 28 November 2024, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced the decision to suspend the start of EU accession negotiations until 2028. In response, the opposition kept street protests almost indefinitely. Protesters were unable to set up tents and organize an activity similar to the Kyiv Maidan due to the professional and clear actions of the police. However, protesters have taken to the streets every day since October 26 last year.
The protests peaked on October 4, local election day, when protesters stormed the presidential palace grounds, breaking down metal fences. This was preceded by a call by the organizers to organize a “peaceful revolution” on this day to remove the Georgian Dream party from power. Five organizers of the action, including famous opera singer Paata Burchuladze, and about 60 participants were arrested. They were accused of plotting to overthrow the government through violence.
In October, the country seriously tightened regulations for organizing protests. Now, a protester faces up to 15 days in jail if he hides his face under a mask, carries tear gas or blocks a road. Organizers of a protest can be arrested for 20 days for the same. For participating in an unauthorized demonstration, appearing at a demonstration with weapons, fireworks or other dangerous objects – administrative arrest of up to 60 days. For repeated violations – up to one year. Third time – up to two years in prison. After applying these new regulations, the number of people participating in protests decreased significantly.
In addition, the protest movement was beheaded: the most “violent” leaders were imprisoned or exiled. Among those in prison are former President Mikheil Saakashvili, former deputies Zurab Japaridze, Giorgi Vashadze, Nika Melia and Elene Khoshtaria, as well as former Minister of Justice, former Minister of Education and Science, and communications director Nika Gvaramia. On November 6, Georgia's Prosecutor General Giorgi Gvarakidze announced the initiation of new criminal cases against all six politicians on charges of “sabotage,” “supporting hostile activities against a foreign country,” and “calling for the overthrow of the government.”
Leaders of the Strong Georgia party – Lelo, businessmen Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze were pardoned by Mikheil Kavelashvili in September for participating in local elections. They were then sentenced to eight months in prison for failing to appear at a meeting of the investigative committee of the Georgian parliament. In November, a new criminal case was opened against them for the article “Sabotage”. They were released from prison with bail of $1 million each.
In November, a criminal case was also opened against former Prime Minister and leader of the opposition party “Gakharia for Georgia” Giorgi Gakharia. He was accused of exceeding his official powers as minister in 2019. However, Gakharia had obtained a residence permit in Germany in advance and had no intention of returning to his homeland.
Several thousand people participated in Friday's march. They arrived at the Georgian Parliament building, briefly blocked Rustaveli Avenue and dispersed a few hours later. Everything happens every day, regularly. Over the course of the past year, the protests have become part of the capital city's landscape and a tourist attraction, along with the picturesque streets of Old Tbilisi. The authorities are used to daily protests, the opposition is used to it, and the townspeople are used to it. But it all started according to the “Ukrainian scenario”. Even the reasons for the protests are identical. Maidan began after Yanukovych postponed the signing of an association agreement with the EU. He did not refuse to sign but simply left it. Protests in Georgia began after Kobakhidze's announcement of suspending EU accession negotiations until 2028. Only suspension, not termination. Perhaps someone has noticed the similarity of these two situations. Perhaps someone saw this as an opportunity. Someone decided to play this game.
But then there's something worrying. An error has occurred. The Georgian government is not afraid, does not cry over its accounts in Western banks, does not run away like Yanukovych, does not collapse, does not go to hell. Suddenly it turns out that “peaceful protesters” and “they are children” with fireworks can be countered quite effectively. At the same time, do not fall into extremes, do not allow the appearance of bloody corpses, “hundreds of heaven” and other trash. “Can that be done?” – Yanukovych is probably thinking. Turns out it's possible.
