Georgian Police Raid Opposition Offices Amid Mass Protests Over EU Talks Suspension

Tbilisi, Georgia – Georgian police have raided opposition party offices and detained key leaders in what appears to be an attempt to stifle mass protests sparked by the government’s decision to suspend negotiations on joining the European Union.

On Wednesday night, protesters gathered for the seventh consecutive evening, clashing with riot police on Tbilisi’s central boulevard. Demonstrators have faced water cannons and tear gas, while some responded with fireworks and barricades.

The Coalition for Change opposition party reported that its leader, Nika Gvaramia, was forcibly detained during a raid on its headquarters. A video shared on X (formerly Twitter) showed Gvaramia being carried out by several men, reportedly unconscious and physically assaulted. Independent verification of the footage was not immediately possible.

In addition to Gvaramia, police targeted other opposition figures and groups. Aleko Elisashvili of the Strong Georgia party, a youth protest leader from Dafioni, and at least six other opposition members were detained. The Georgian interior ministry stated that seven individuals had been arrested on charges of “organising and leading group violence,” which carries a maximum sentence of nine years in prison.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, of the ruling Georgian Dream party, defended the police actions, claiming they targeted individuals inciting violence to overthrow the government. “This is not repression; it is more of a preventive measure,” Kobakhidze said.

The ruling party retained control of parliament after the disputed October 26 election, widely viewed as a referendum on Georgia’s EU aspirations. The opposition and pro-western President Salome Zourabichvili alleged election rigging, boycotted parliament sessions, and initiated mass protests.

Georgia’s EU candidacy, granted in December 2023, has been fraught with challenges. In June 2024, the EU froze accession talks and financial support following the passage of a controversial “foreign influence” law, likened to a Russian policy suppressing dissent.

The EU parliament recently condemned Georgia's October elections as neither free nor fair, adding pressure on the government. Georgian President Zourabichvili, whose term ends this month, has refused to acknowledge the election results and pledged to lead opposition efforts for a new parliamentary vote.

On social media, Zourabichvili called on Western allies to exert "strong pressure" on the ruling party, accusing it of leading the country toward authoritarianism. “Do not be late!” she urged.

The protests intensified after the government’s decision to suspend EU accession talks, which coincided with the European parliament’s critical resolution. In response, Kobakhidze accused the EU of "blackmail" but signaled willingness to reopen negotiations if the bloc softened its stance.

Meanwhile, more than 300 people have been detained since the protests began, with injuries reported on both sides. As tensions escalate, Georgia faces increasing international scrutiny over its democratic backsliding and the handling of its EU aspirations.

The United States and EU have expressed concern over Georgia's political turmoil and the growing authoritarian tendencies of its government. Observers fear the recent developments may further isolate Georgia from Western allies and deepen its reliance on neighboring Russia.

With the situation remaining volatile, the future of Georgia’s EU ambitions and domestic political stability hangs in the balance.