The Baltic countries were the first to impose sanctions on Georgia’s rulers after President Salome Zurabishvili called for support for the “national movement” in support of European integration, days after the government suspended negotiations with the European Union for the next few years.
The Georgian Dream party, which Georgia’s Central Election Commission declared the winner with 54% of the vote just over a month ago amid doubts about the integrity of the vote, was sharply criticized by Brussels and Washington over the decision. On the other hand, the Kremlin saw signs of the “Orange Revolution” in the events in Georgia, but it still considered it an internal matter for the country. Former President Dmitry Medvedev said that Tbilisi was heading towards the abyss and would end “very badly.” This evening, security forces dispersed the demonstrators in the vicinity of Parliament with tear gas.
Police figures this morning spoke of more than 220 detainees in the first four evenings.
Shortly before renewed clashes between protesters and police, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia imposed sanctions on the founder of the Georgian Dream, the country’s de facto ruler, Bidzina Ivanishvili. The restrictions so far do not include Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, but narrowly target the Interior Ministry, which has been accused of violence against protesters (although Kobakhidze welcomes his action). Four of his deputies were punished, in addition to Minister Vakhtang Gumiluri, the head of the Special Tasks Department and his two deputies, as well as the head of the criminal police.
Georgia’s ombudsman said more than 120 people arrested during the marches complained that police used violence against them, describing the data as “deeply disturbing.” Veja Siradze, director of the police patrol, which is also on the Baltic states’ sanctions list, said the use of force was proportionate and that there had been between 300 and 400 “aggressive” protesters from the start.
“The only political way out of this crisis”
The United States already announced on Saturday that it was ending the strategic partnership with Georgia, signed in 2009, and condemned the “excessive use of force.” Canada will also impose sanctions on those responsible for rights abuses and corruption in Georgia.
Third night of protests in Georgia – the president refused to leave office without holding new elections
President Zurabishvili told Reuters he wanted European countries to send a “very clear message” that they would not recognize the results of the October elections and would insist on a repeat vote.
Days after Zurabishvili announced that she would not leave office before new elections were held (because she does not recognize the legitimacy of the parliament that wants to replace her on December 14), Zurabishvili said that Russia, having already invaded Ukraine, was waging a “hybrid war.” Against Georgia and other countries such as Moldova and Romania. According to her, strong support from the West is “the only political way out of this crisis.” “There is no other political prescription.”
Georgia’s new parliament is trying to replace the president hastily and in a new way
The European Commission expressed its “regret”, adding that the door to the European Union is still open.
cleaning
Today, at a government meeting, Kobakhidze spoke about the self-purification carried out by the state administration with the decision of some employees to distance themselves from the “Georgian Dream” decision and explained that these people have serious problems in understanding what is written (the Tbilisi authorities claim that they have not abandoned the EU But she will simply negotiate when she is more ready to do so.) He also hinted that he expected dialogue to be impossible on the issue of what exactly the government said, considering that those who disagreed with them were embracing “liberal fascism.”
I am convinced that liberal fascism will be activated and no one, including an honest person, will be allowed to participate in the discussions, because that is the nature of liberal fascism.
Zurabishvili praised the officials who resigned in protest against the government, including four ambassadors, and described their actions as “extremely courageous.” In addition to the ambassador to Bulgaria, they already include ambassadors to the Netherlands, Lithuania and the United States of America, in addition to the acting ambassador to Italy.
The Georgian ambassador to Bulgaria was the first to resign after the decision to stop negotiations with the European Union
Meanwhile, more than 200 Georgian government employees joined the protesting diplomats, issuing a statement last night to distance themselves from Kobakhidze’s words to halt EU talks and condemn the disproportionate use of force against protesters. There are now allegations that management is pressuring employees to resign. Meanwhile, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze said that municipal officials who disagree with the decision may leave as part of the planned reorganization.
