Police use water cannons against demonstrators around the Georgian parliament

Tbilisi, Georgia

Police in the Georgian capital used water cannons on Sunday to disperse protesters surrounding the front of the parliament building, throwing fireworks and various objects.

The protests, which began in response to the government’s decision to suspend European Union accession negotiations on November 28, entered their fourth day.

Thousands of demonstrators gathered again late in the evening in front of the parliament building in Tbilisi to express their opposition to the government’s decision.

They called for the government to resign and called for new parliamentary elections. Many carried flags of Georgia and the European Union.

As tensions rose, protesters began throwing rocks and other objects at the steel barriers erected at the building’s main entrance for security reasons, while also firing fireworks at the building.

Georgian Interior Ministry security forces stationed around the building and its facade responded by using water cannons to disperse the crowd.

The protest is ongoing, extensive security measures are in place and numerous ambulances and medical teams are on site.

In a statement, the Interior Ministry noted that unlawful acts took place during the protests and called on parents with children to remove them from the protest area for safety reasons.

Georgia’s bid to join the EU in 2022 has hit delays after a controversial “foreign influence transparency” law sparked debate.

Prime Minister Iraqi Kobakhidze accused European politicians of interfering: “In view of all this, we have decided not to put the issue of starting negotiations with the EU on the agenda until the end of 2028.”

The protests highlight growing tensions as Georgian citizens continue to push for closer ties with the EU.

*Writing from Alperen Aktas from Istanbul

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