TBILISI (AFP) – Violent clashes erupted outside Georgia’s Parliament between police and demonstrators protesting the government’s decision to delay European Union (EU) membership talks amid a post-election crisis, AFP reporters witnessed.
Thousands of people gathered in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi for a third night of protests that saw dozens arrested.
The Black Sea nation has been rocked by turmoil since the ruling Georgian Dream party claimed victory in an October 26 parliamentary election that the pro-European opposition said was fraudulent.
Chaotic scenes unfolded for hours as police chased defiant protesters through the streets of central Tbilisi, beating them and making arrests.
Masked officers in riot gear fired rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannons as they moved in to disperse protesters hurling fireworks, while flames were seen coming from a window of the parliament building.
Demonstrators erected barricades on Tbilisi’s main avenue.
“I am afraid – I won’t hide it – that many people will get injured, but I am not afraid to stand here,” 39-year-old Tamar Gelashvili told AFP near the Parliament building earlier in the day.
Protests were also held in numerous cities across Georgia.
The Interior Ministry said “the actions of some individuals present at the protest became violent” and that police would “respond appropriately and in accordance with the law to every violation”.
More than 100 people have been arrested in the last two days.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s announcement on Thursday that Georgia would not seek accession talks with the EU until 2028 ignited a furious reaction from the opposition.
