Georgians Protest EU Membership Suspension

Mass protests erupted in Tbilisi, Georgia, as thousands opposed the government's announcement to suspend EU accession talks until 2028, a decision linked to allegations of election fraud by the ruling Georgian Dream party. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze defended the move, claiming it would unify society, but this was met with widespread dissent and violent clashes with police, who used tear gas and water cannons against demonstrators. President Salome Zurabichvili joined protesters, condemning police brutality and asserting that the government's actions echo Russian repression. The protests have spread to other cities, including Batumi, with calls for international support against perceived Russian influence in Georgian politics. Eyewitness accounts detailed chaotic scenes, with numerous injuries reported among both protesters and journalists. The situation reflects deepening divisions within Georgia, as citizens rally against what they see as a shift toward Moscow's orbit.