Georgian EU Protests Continue for Second Night, Police Deploy Water Cannon

On Friday, thousands of demonstrators once again gathered in Tbilisi to protest the government’s choice to halt discussions regarding joining the European Union. Protesters were observed chanting “traitors” and displaying pictures of journalists who, according to them, had been assaulted by police during the demonstrations the night before. For the second consecutive evening, law enforcement personnel deployed tear gas and extensively utilized water cannons against those protesting. President Salome Zourabishvili declared that “the resistance movement [had] begun” and affirmed her stance “in solidarity with it.” In a televised address, she stated, “We will remain united until Georgia achieves its goals, to return to its European path, secure new elections.” Georgia’s interior ministry announced in a statement that over 100 individuals were arrested on charges of disobeying police officers and “petty hooliganism.” The ministry also reported that protesters threw pyrotechnics, stones, and glass bottles, resulting in injuries to 10 officers during the disturbances. According to AFP news agency, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze expressed gratitude to the police on Saturday, stating at a press conference that they had “defended Georgia’s constitutional order and safeguarded the nation’s sovereignty.” Concurrently, the nation’s human rights ombudsman cautioned against “brutality that has no justification” following visits to several arrested protesters. Levan Ioseliani informed reporters