Georgia protests
Georgian parliament votes to terminate mandates of 49 opposition MPs
Members of Georgia's ruling Georgian Dream party voted to revoke the mandates of 49 opposition parliamentarians on Feb. 5 after they refused to take their seats, citing concerns over the legitimacy of the results of the October parliamentary election.
Multiple Georgian opposition leaders arrested as pro-EU demonstrators block highway in Tbilisi
Georgian police arrested two opposition leaders, including the former mayor of Tbilisi, during a street protest against the ruling Georgian Dream party, Echo of the Caucasus reported on Feb. 2.
EU suspends visa privileges for Georgian officials over democratic backsliding
"Fundamental rights and democratic values are core principles of EU integration. Officials that represent a country which trample down these values should not benefit from easier access to the EU," said Tomasz Siemoniak, Poland's interior minister.
Georgian businesses and employees to carry out nationwide strike demanding new elections
Georgian citizens are being urged to participate in a nationwide strike on Jan. 15 to demand the release of detained protestors and to call for new elections, Protest 24 posted on Facebook.
Over 20 foreign citizens to be deported from Georgia for participating in protests
The Migration Department of the Georgian Interior Ministry has initiated expulsion proceedings against 25 foreign nationals.
OSCE urges Tbilisi to institute reforms in final report on Georgian parliamentary elections
"To safeguard the democratic principles currently at stake in Georgia, it is imperative that the authorities urgently address all concerns," OSCE representative Eoghan Murphy said.
Georgian parliament bans masks, fireworks during protests
The fine for wearing a mask or using lasers or fireworks is 2,000 Georgian lari ($712).
US announces visa bans for individuals over undermining Georgian democracy
The U.S. State Department announced visa bans for approximately 20 Georgian individuals for undermining democracy in the country, according to the department’s statement on Dec. 12.
Hungary vows to block potential EU sanctions on Georgia over protest crackdowns
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has pledged to veto a proposal to impose EU sanctions on Georgian officials for their crackdown on anti-government protests, the First Channel of Georgia reported on Dec. 10.
Georgian PM announces new law banning face-coverings at protests
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced plans to introduce a law banning participants in rallies and counter-rallies from covering their faces, Georgia Today reported on Dec. 8.
Zelensky meets with Georgian President Zourabichvili, urges Georgians to 'not let government surrender country to Putin'
"Ukraine supports and stands in solidarity with the Georgian people, who are currently fighting for a worthy future for themselves," Zelensky told Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili during the meeting. "It is important to always respect the will of the people and not let the Ivanishvili government surrender the country to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin."
Georgian opposition politician detained by police, crackdown continues on ninth day of mass protests
Georgian police detained Tsotne Koberidze, a politician and member of the Coalition for Change opposition group, on Dec. 6 amid government crackdowns as pro-EU protests in the country continue.
Ukraine sanctions Georgian oligarch Ivanishvili, PM, other officials amid pro-EU protests
The sanctions target oligarch and de facto leader of Georgian Dream Bidzina Ivanishvili and 18 other individuals.
Georgian police detain opposition leader amid protests
Georgian police detained Nika Gvaramia, the leader of the Coalition for Change opposition party, on Dec. 4 amid government crackdowns as pro-EU protests in the country continue.
Ukraine preparing sanctions against Georgian government amid crackdown on pro-EU protests
President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the Georgian authorities "are pushing the country into clear dependence on Russia."
Protests in Georgia, explained
For the fifth day in a row, Georgians are holding massive protests against their government in the country's capital, Tbilisi. The brewing dissatisfaction was ignited by the country's democratic backsliding under the leadership of the pro-Russian, increasingly illiberal government. The final straw appeared to be the parliament elections won by
Kyiv denounces violence against Georgian protesters; Moscow compares pro-EU rally to Orange Revolution
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry condemned on Dec. 2 the violent crackdown by Georgian authorities against pro-EU protesters, saying the government's steps demonstrate a "turn toward Moscow."
Georgian opposition leader briefly detained amid crackdown on pro-EU rally
Over 220 protesters have been detained over the past few days, the country's Interior Ministry said. This included several journalists and Zurab Japaridze, leader of the opposition Girchi – More Freedom party, who was detained on Dec. 2 before being released the same day.
Zourabichvili says she'll remain Georgian president until legitimate parliament elected
An illegitimate parliament will not be able to elect a new head of state, Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili said.
US suspends strategic partnership with Georgia amid mass protests
"Georgian Dream’s various anti-democratic actions have violated the core tenets of our U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership ... As a result, the United States has suspended this mechanism."
Protests erupt across Georgia in defiance of government's anti-EU stance
Protests have now spread from Tbilisi to Batumi, Zugdidi, Kutaisi, Telavi, Gurjaani, and other Georgian cities, sparked by the government's decision to postpone EU accession talks.
Foreign Ministry condemns Georgian response to demonstrations as second night of protests in Tbilisi continues
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) condemned Georgian authorities’ aggressive response against protestors in Tbilisi, according to a statement released on Nov. 29.
Police disperse protesters in Tbilisi after pro-Russian government refuses to negotiate EU accession
Protesters claim that the refusal to negotiate accession to the EU by 2028 is "a betrayal of the country's interests."
Opinion: Georgia’s civil society is the last line of defense for democracy
Georgia finds itself at a crossroads. The Oct. 26 elections, in which the ruling Georgian Dream party claimed victory, have brought to the surface deep concerns about the integrity of our democracy. Civil society organizations, independent media, and the international democratic community have all raised alarms about widespread irregularities during
'Whoever enters parliament enters Russia,' Georgian president says
"I am sure that the parties will not enter the parliament ... Today, whoever enters the parliament will enter Russia," Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili said on Nov. 22.
Updated: Georgian police disperse protesters in Tbilisi, 16 detained
Georgian police dispersed a protest in Tbilisi demanding new elections on the eve of Nov. 18, but organizers promised a quick resumption elsewhere.
President of Russian-occupied Abkhazia resigns amid protests
Aslan Bzhania's resignation will take effect once protesters withdraw and disperse from government property, according to an announcement from the Russian proxy leader's press service.
Tbilisi court rejects 11 lawsuits challenging Georgian election results
A Tbilisi court has dismissed all 11 lawsuits filed by Georgian opposition parties and civil society organizations seeking to invalidate protocols issued by district election commissions, News Georgia reported on Nov. 14.
Thousands in Tbilisi rally again in protest of recent parliamentary elections
Thousands of opposition supporters gathered outside Georgia's parliament on Nov. 4 for the second consecutive Monday, protesting the Oct. 26 election, which they allege was rigged with Russian assistance to favor the ruling Georgian Dream party.
Georgia sinks deeper into Russian-style authoritarianism amid stolen election allegations
Georgia's Oct. 26 parliamentary election presented a clear geopolitical choice for the country’s voters, but criticism is mounting that the ruling regime stole the vote. After years of vacillating between the West and Russia and paying lip service to European integration, the country's ruling Georgian Dream party began to
Georgians take to streets in protest as pro-Russian party crowned election winner amid wide-scale fraud
Georgia has descended into political turmoil that is set to shape the country for years to come. Although exit polls indicated that the pro-European opposition coalition would win the Oct. 26 parliament elections, the official results paint a different picture. The Central Election Commission announced on the evening of Oct.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili on Russia's influence on her country
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili highlights Georgia’s stalled EU accession, rising anti-Western rhetoric, and the ruling party’s troubling alignment with Russian interests, while affirming Georgian people’s support for Ukraine.
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