Georgian Opposition Leader Dragged from Office as Police Target Pro-EU Protest Organisers

A Georgian opposition leader was forcibly removed from his party office by police, and others have been assaulted following the Prime Minister’s vow to bring the organisers of recent pro-EU protests, which he labelled as “violent actions,” to justice.

Nika Gvaramia, a prominent figure among four opposition groups, was carried out by police from his party headquarters located on a side street near the parliament in Tbilisi. Following a meeting at a hotel, other opposition leaders were ambushed as they planned to call for a general strike.

Protests have been ongoing nightly since last Thursday, triggered by the ruling Georgian Dream party’s announcement to halt the country’s EU membership talks. Over 330 protesters have been detained, with reports of beatings in custody. Authorities intensified their crackdown on opposition leaders following a forceful statement from Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.

Kobakhidze warned that politicians responsible for the violence would not escape accountability, accusing the protesters of promoting “liberal fascism.” The protests erupted in late October after numerous violations marred a disputed election, which observers claimed. The unrest escalated last Thursday when Georgian Dream suspended the EU membership talks, leading to the US halting its strategic partnership with Georgia two days later.

Georgian Dream has enacted increasingly authoritarian laws, targeting civil society, LGBT groups, and free speech. Opposition parties accuse the ruling party of aligning Georgia with Russian influence. The interior ministry claims over 100 officers have been injured by projectiles, while the human rights ombudsman has accused the police of brutality and torture against protesters.

Other opposition leaders, meeting at a Tbilisi hotel, agreed to increase cooperation and call for a general strike. Levan Tsutskiridze of Strong Georgia described the situation as a “total campaign of terror” against free speech and democracy. Zurab Girchi Japaridze, a Coalition for Change leader, expressed the unease of anticipating further arrests.

As leaders left the hotel, some were attacked in Liberty Square, with two detained by police, including opposition figure and world champion wrestler Zurabi Datunashvili. In total, the opposition reported the arrest of 11 members, including Strong Georgia leader Aleko Elisashvili and two colleagues, and five youth members of the United National Movement.

Authorities also targeted activists from Daitove, a large anti-government Facebook group aiding detained protesters, and raided the home of co-founder Nancy Woland. Gvaramia was initially taken to a Tbilisi detention centre, then transferred to another facility in Marneuli.

Georgian Dream has faced a series of resignations, including ambassadors to the US, Czech Republic, and the Netherlands, and the deputy foreign minister, although they have refrained from public statements.

Frances Ibiefo

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