Davit Okruashvili, a 33-year-old cybersecurity expert, still bears teh wounds of his recent beating – both eyes blackened and swollen. “It was November 29th, around 11 p.m., behind the parliament building when the riot police descended on us with brutal force,” he recalled. “Forty minutes after I arrived, the crackdown began. I tried to retreat as they advanced, but they encircled us from behind. On Shevchenko Street, we attempted to escape down some stairs, but riot police were already there, waiting. They caught us. an officer held me and shoved me through the crowd. They started beating us without a word. With my head down, wiping blood from my face, they moved me through the throng of riot police. After two or three blows, I couldn’t feel the pain anymore.”
Darkness eventually consumed him. Medical examinations later revealed broken bones and cartilage damage in his face. He is one of hundreds of Georgians attacked by police after taking to the streets to protest against their government. Transparency International Georgia reports over 400 arrests in Tbilisi, with more then 300 individuals reporting beatings. Victims have shared harrowing accounts of indiscriminate violence by riot police and the Ministry of Interior’s special task forces. To date, no officers have been held accountable.
The Georgian government appears to be using fear and intimidation to stifle dissent and deter people from protesting. The unrest began on November 28th, when Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced a delay in pursuing European Union integration – widely perceived as a rejection of Georgia’s European aspirations. This sparked outrage in the overwhelmingly pro-European populace. Within minutes,people were flooding the streets.
Tens of thousands have been demonstrating daily in Tbilisi and other towns since then. These rallies are largely visual, relying on laser projections of slogans onto the parliament building to amplify their message.
These protests follow contested general elections on October 26th and accusations of fraud by the authorities. The vote left many disillusioned as the ruling Georgian Dream party claimed victory yet again. The opposition attempted to mobilize support and take to the streets but lacked public trust. But this movement wasn’t just about the elections – it was about Georgia’s future.Before the vote, the government reassured its supporters that accusations of pro-Moscow sympathies were lies, insisting its policies were paving the way for georgia’s integration into the European union with dignity, peace, and prosperity. Yet, the Prime Minister’s proclamation shattered that narrative, sparking outrage even among georgian dream’s own base.for many,it wasn’t just a policy shift; it felt like a betrayal of the country’s aspirations.
“The Georgian government has made it unequivocally clear that it is at odds with the European Union,jeopardizing Georgia’s EU aspirations,” Okruashvili stated. ”This isn’t just about distancing ourselves from the EU; it’s about closing ourselves off from the civilized world. That’s what makes this situation so crucial.”
These protests are the culmination of years of frustration with the ruling georgian Dream party, accused of consolidating power and undermining democratic institutions. Bidzina ivanishvili, the billionaire founder of Georgian Dream and former prime minister, made his fortune in moscow during the turbulent 1990s and reportedly maintains ties with Russia’s business elite. These ties have fueled suspicions of his alignment with Moscow, with US officials recently alleging he is acting under Russian direction and preparing sanctions against him.
“one thing unifying the hundreds of thousands of people protesting is their determination to prevent Georgia from falling under Russian control,” emphasized Giorgi Kandelaki, a researcher at the Soviet Past research Laboratory. “This geopolitical dimension of the situation is not fully grasped by Western capitals.”
Riot police have deployed tear gas and water cannons, while demonstrators have responded with fireworks and an unyielding commitment to stay on the streets. Every night, the streets of tbilisi illuminate with defiance.Many protestors have sustained injuries from gas canisters hitting their faces and heads. Videos show targeted violence against journalists by government-aligned thugs, often referred to as “Titushky,” a term borrowed from Ukraine’s Maidan movement. Social media has shared disturbing footage of unidentified individuals waving guns at protesters before being overwhelmed. These attacks have been severe and repeated, with little or no response or accountability from the authorities.
During one evening of protest, I stood with a friend as police suddenly fired tear gas at us. We ran through the choking cloud, gasping for breath despite our gas masks. A wave of panic swept through the crowd; people were pushing in every direction.
But a week into the violence, Georgians have adapted. They quickly collect and toss tear gas canisters into jars,donned gas masks and goggles for protection,and warn fellow protesters about advancing riot police. Activists have mobilized to provide medical aid, hotlines, and legal support for those injured or arrested. They have coordinated their efforts through a Facebook group and even developed an app that tracks special forces units as they move through the city. Many businesses, from hospitals to banks, are backing the protesters, with some going on strike.
Thousands still gather nightly on Tbilisi’s main avenue.They share food, carry masks and goggles, and arm themselves with saline water to counter the effects of tear gas.
Beyond the nightly protests, the authorities have intensified their efforts, investigating, arresting, and targeting individuals off the streets, especially those involved in social media organizing or critical of the ruling party. Some protesters have even faced pre-trial detention for Facebook posts,according to their lawyers.
The international community’s response has been tepid, largely symbolic. The European Union and the United States have mostly severed ties with the government due to pre-existing tensions over the controversial “foreign agent” law passed by the Georgian government earlier.
“It might be hard for Americans to fully grasp what’s happening here as they haven’t faced anything like this in a long time – they haven’t had to confront this raw display of power,” said Lizi, a 25-year-old protester. “But the more countries Russia brings under its influence, the stronger an opponent it becomes for the United States, much like it was during the Soviet era.”
“What we have seen in recent years is a bureaucratic approach to the Georgian file from both Brussels and Washington,” observed Kandelaki.”This has allowed Russian influence to grow here.”
These protests represent a sea change in Georgia’s political landscape. Unlike the movements that followed previous elections, this movement is largely leaderless, fuelled by grassroots anger.the protesters’ primary demand is for snap elections. “We’re attempting to return to the European path,” said Tsotne,a 30-year-old protester. “The government is steering us toward russia, but hope keeps us standing here. We won’t withdraw untill free elections are announced.”
Growing discontent within the Georgian government is begining to show, with state employees resigning.Notably, Irakli Shaishmelashvili, the head of the Interior Ministry’s unit overseeing riot police, has stepped down.
“The ruling party relies primarily on vulnerable populations and so-called administrative resources,” explained giorgi Kadagidze,the former head of Georgia’s National Bank. “In any election even remotely fair, Georgian Dream wouldn’t secure over 20% of the vote. This show of force is purely an attempt to create the illusion of broad support. It’s a desperate tactic.”
The protestors, resilient and determined, show no signs of relenting. ”Given what’s happening in Tbilisi today, we need even greater solidarity,” Tsotne stressed. “The more sanctions imposed on those who wield power illegitimately, the better chance we have of saving our society. The sooner this happens, the fewer people will be harmed, and the cost will be less.”
What are the main grievances of the protestors in Georgia regarding government actions adn European integration?
time.news Interview: The Wave of Protest in georgia
Interviewer: Alexei Petrov, Editor of Time.news
Expert: Davit Okruashvili, Cybersecurity Expert and Protestor
Alexei Petrov: Davit, thank you for joining us today. Your recent experiences during the protests in Tbilisi must have been harrowing. Can you share what it was like on that fateful night of November 29th?
Davit Okruashvili: Thank you for having me, Alexei. That night is still etched in my memory. We gathered behind the parliament building to express our frustrations about the government’s recent decisions, particularly regarding our European integration aspirations. It was meant to be a peaceful protest,but the moment the riot police descended on us,chaos erupted. They moved in with such brutality—it was overwhelming.
Alexei Petrov: You mentioned that you tried to retreat but where surrounded. How quickly did the situation escalate?
Davit Okruashvili: It happened in a matter of minutes.Just forty minutes after I arrived, they began to push in from all sides. We tried to escape, but there were officers waiting on the stairs, effectively trapping us. I was caught and, without warning, began to be beaten. It was shocking how aggressive they were.
Alexei Petrov: The violence you experienced sounds terrifying. The reports indicate that over 400 people were arrested and many others were injured. What do you believe is motivating the government’s actions against the protestors?
Davit Okruashvili: It’s clear that the Georgian government is resorting to fear and intimidation to silence dissent.When Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced a delay in pursuing our European Union integration, it felt like a betrayal. This was more than just a policy shift; it crushed the hopes of many who believe in democracy and a European future for georgia. The government seems desperate to maintain its grip on power, even at the expense of our rights.
Alexei Petrov: This current unrest seems to be part of a larger narrative about the erosion of democracy in Georgia. How have past elections played into this?
Davit Okruashvili: The recent general elections on October 26th were riddled with accusations of fraud and disillusionment among the populace. The Georgian Dream party’s victory was seen as far from legitimate and only added fuel to the fire. People aren’t just protesting for reforms; they are protesting for transparency, accountability, and the very future of Georgia in the context of Europe versus Russia.
Alexei Petrov: You mentioned the geopolitical implications,particularly regarding Russia. Can you elaborate on that?
Davit Okruashvili: Absolutely. Many Georgians are glaringly aware of the historical ties between our ruling party and Russia. Bidzina ivanishvili, the founder of Georgian Dream, has strong connections with russian business elites, and there are concerns that he has been acting under Moscow’s influence. People are worried that our hard-won independence and aspirations could be undermined if we slide back under Russian control.It’s crucial that the international community recognizes the seriousness of this situation.
Alexei Petrov: Some experts have pointed out that the response of Western capitals to this crisis has been muted. Why do you think that is?
Davit Okruashvili: I think there’s a severe lack of understanding about the geopolitical nuances here. The West frequently enough overlooks the implications of Russian influence in Eastern Europe.Georgian citizens are united in their resolve to maintain sovereignty and prevent any Russian takeover, but if the West remains passive, it could send a chilling message not just to us, but to other nations in the region that aspire to freedom and democracy.
Alexei Petrov: Your resilience shines thru, despite the challenges you face. What would you say to those who may be hesitant to support the protests?
Davit Okruashvili: I would urge them to recognize that this fight isn’t just ours—it’s a fight for democratic values, European integrity, and the right to express dissent against a government that no longer represents the will of its people. standing by in silence allows authoritarianism to thrive. We need solidarity, not just within Georgia, but from the global community.
Alexei Petrov: Thank you,Davit. Your insights provide clarity on a complex and troubling situation. We wish you strength in your ongoing fight for justice.
Davit Okruashvili: Thank you, Alexei. It’s crucial we continue to amplify these voices and stories. The world is watching, and we must not lose hope.
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End of Interview