In Georgia, protests continue despite repression from the government, states an article published by the Associated Press.
The publication writes that the protests began when the Georgian government suspended talks on joining the European Union and that the authorities are carrying out repressions through laws targeting demonstrators, rights groups, non-governmental organizations, and independent media.
The Associated Press writes that more protests are planned for Saturday, in parallel with local elections.
“In the South Caucasus country with a population of 3.7 million, the repressions are being compared to Georgia’s influential neighbor and former imperial ruler, Russia, where President Vladimir Putin suppresses dissenting views. ‘Georgian Dream’ is accused of steering the country toward Moscow’s orbit,” the article notes.
The publication states that the violent dispersal of mostly peaceful protests escalated in late November 2024, when more than 400 people were detained over two weeks; according to Amnesty International, at least 300 reported brutal beatings and other ill-treatment. The group says much of the brutality occurred in places of detention.
The Associated Press writes that, according to the anti-corruption organization Transparency International Georgia, from April 2024 to August 2025, at least 76 people were brought to criminal responsibility for participating in protests, and more than 60 were imprisoned.
“Criminal prosecutions are likely higher now, and even more people have been fined heavily. The government has also targeted opposition politicians and parties, as well as rights defenders and media. In the summer, eight opposition leaders were imprisoned for refusing to cooperate with a parliamentary investigation, and two more were later detained on various charges. The opposition says these detentions were politically motivated. In August, the government froze the bank accounts of seven rights groups. The prosecutor’s office claimed they were supplying demonstrators with equipment such as masks, pepper spray, and protective goggles used during clashes with police,” the publication writes.
The article mentions that this week, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated that the goal of Georgia’s EU membership by 2030 is “realistic and achievable.”
“However, an EU official told the Associated Press that ‘the repressive actions carried out by the Georgian government are far from the actions expected of a candidate country. The European Union is ready to consider Georgia’s return to the path of EU membership if the government takes credible steps to halt the democratic backsliding,’” the official stated, who was not authorized to speak publicly and therefore did so on condition of anonymity,” the article notes.
Associated Press: Georgian government uses detentions, heavy fines, and other harsh measures against protests – repressions compared to influential neighbor where Putin suppresses dissenting views
