Georgia’s pro-EU protesters defiant 12 months after accession course of was halted

[ad_1] Rayhan Demytrie Caucasus correspondent

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/8bb5/live/601ad730-caf7-11f0-b43f-e3318ee9f4fe.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/8bb5/live/601ad730-caf7-11f0-b43f-e3318ee9f4fe.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/8bb5/live/601ad730-caf7-11f0-b43f-e3318ee9f4fe.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/8bb5/live/601ad730-caf7-11f0-b43f-e3318ee9f4fe.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/8bb5/live/601ad730-caf7-11f0-b43f-e3318ee9f4fe.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/8bb5/live/601ad730-caf7-11f0-b43f-e3318ee9f4fe.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/8bb5/live/601ad730-caf7-11f0-b43f-e3318ee9f4fe.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/8bb5/live/601ad730-caf7-11f0-b43f-e3318ee9f4fe.jpg.webp" loading="eager" alt="NurPhoto via Getty Images Demonstrators march through the streets of Tbilisi on Nov. 23, 2025, to mark the 22nd anniversary of Georgia's Rose Revolution" class="sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA"/> NurPhoto through Getty Photographs Tons of of protesters prove each evening, a 12 months after pro-European demonstrations started

"I am standing for the way forward for this nation," says Giorgi Arabuli, who has taken half in protests on the streets of Georgia's capital Tbilisi virtually each evening since they started a 12 months in the past.

Mass demonstrations had been met with violent police crackdowns as tens of 1000's of Georgians turned out, angered by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's determination on 28 November 2024 to name a four-year halt on strikes in direction of becoming a member of the EU.

"I am from the technology of the Nineties. I've seen these darkish occasions after the civil conflict," stated Giorgi. "Most of it was attributable to Russian affect in a post-Soviet nation. We do not need to return there."

Since then Georgians have seen a "dismantling of democracy", within the phrases of governments throughout Europe, and it has prompted accusations of Russian-style rule.

On the streets, the protests have developed right into a grinding conflict of attrition.

For months, Tbilisi's predominant Rustaveli Avenue was blocked for just a few hours each night. New legal guidelines and a heavy police presence pressured the protesters to adapt, marching via adjoining streets and going through nightly arrests.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/5456/live/2fd8e890-caf8-11f0-b43f-e3318ee9f4fe.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/5456/live/2fd8e890-caf8-11f0-b43f-e3318ee9f4fe.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/5456/live/2fd8e890-caf8-11f0-b43f-e3318ee9f4fe.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/5456/live/2fd8e890-caf8-11f0-b43f-e3318ee9f4fe.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/5456/live/2fd8e890-caf8-11f0-b43f-e3318ee9f4fe.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/5456/live/2fd8e890-caf8-11f0-b43f-e3318ee9f4fe.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/5456/live/2fd8e890-caf8-11f0-b43f-e3318ee9f4fe.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/5456/live/2fd8e890-caf8-11f0-b43f-e3318ee9f4fe.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="NurPhoto via Getty Images Protesters with Georgian flags attempt to block Rustaveli Avenue during a demonstration demanding the release of political prisoners and new elections" class="sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA"/> NurPhoto through Getty Photographs Protesters nonetheless attempt to collect on Rustaveli Avenue however police shortly clear the street

The Georgian Dream authorities has imposed large fines for blocking roads, slapped prison costs on younger protesters and most lately pushed via a legislation permitting as much as 14 days' imprisonment for a primary offence of blocking site visitors, with repeat offenders going through as much as a 12 months in jail.

"Freedom for regime prisoners," reads a big banner carried in direction of the close by Supreme Court docket.

"They've used each technique to crush the protests... however the truth is that they have not been in a position to," says Nata Koridze. Her husband, Zura Japaridze, is one in every of six key opposition figures jailed after refusing to testify earlier than a parliamentary fee into alleged crimes by the earlier authorities.

The six had been jailed for as much as eight months and banned from holding public workplace for 2 years.

Prosecutors have since introduced new costs in opposition to eight opposition leaders, together with Japaridze. They now withstand 15 years for alleged sabotage and aiding overseas powers.

Nata Koridze's husband is because of be launched on 22 December however she says he is because of seem in courtroom once more three days later.

They're accused of speaking with Western companions about authorities abuses - normal democratic follow - as proof of betraying state pursuits.

Japaridze, like all of the jailed politicians, is held in solitary confinement.

"Zura has not seen anyone aside from a health care provider and the guard," she says.

Georgia's path to EU membership, as soon as the cornerstone of its post-Soviet identification, is now farther away than ever.

Earlier this month, the EU's annual enlargement report delivered what its ambassador to Georgia referred to as "devastating" findings, concluding it was now thought of an EU candidate "in identify solely".

"Georgia is just not on the trajectory to change into an EU member state, neither in 2030 nor later," stated Pawel Herczynski, rejecting the federal government's pledge to make sure membership by 2030.

The BBC approached the top of the parliamentary committee on European integration and different Georgian Dream MPs for remark, however no-one was obtainable.

The federal government's public response has been more and more hostile in direction of its overseas critics.

Parliamentary speaker Shalva Papuashvili has accused the EU of "ideological and political dictates", telling pro-government TV this month that "at the moment's Brussels doesn't need a Georgia that's like us".

"They need a rustic standing on one foot," he complained. "The insurance policies and approaches in Brussels have to be modified. For them, the Georgian folks and their alternative imply nothing, zero."

Georgian Dream, in energy since 2012, gained 54% of the vote in final 12 months's disputed parliamentary elections, which displays from Europe's OSCE safety mission stated had been marked by a number of shortcomings, together with intimidation, coercion and stress on voters, particularly public sector staff.

All opposition events have since boycotted parliament leaving it totally in authorities arms. Meaning more and more repressive laws has been handed unopposed.

In addition to steep fines for protesters blocking the street, there have been a restrictive broadcasting legislation and a legislation on overseas grants requiring all overseas funding for civil society and media to be accepted by a authorities fee.

Tons of of protesters have been fined and dozens jailed, amongst them well-known actor Andro Chichinadze, given two years for allegedly organising protests.

His theatre - as soon as one of the best attended in Tbilisi - has closed in solidarity.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/1b1d/live/afcd8c80-caf4-11f0-b43f-e3318ee9f4fe.png.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/1b1d/live/afcd8c80-caf4-11f0-b43f-e3318ee9f4fe.png.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/1b1d/live/afcd8c80-caf4-11f0-b43f-e3318ee9f4fe.png.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/1b1d/live/afcd8c80-caf4-11f0-b43f-e3318ee9f4fe.png.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/1b1d/live/afcd8c80-caf4-11f0-b43f-e3318ee9f4fe.png.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/1b1d/live/afcd8c80-caf4-11f0-b43f-e3318ee9f4fe.png.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/1b1d/live/afcd8c80-caf4-11f0-b43f-e3318ee9f4fe.png.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/1b1d/live/afcd8c80-caf4-11f0-b43f-e3318ee9f4fe.png.webp" loading="lazy" alt="A theatre with a picture of a man in jail" class="sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA"/> Andro Chichinadze's theatre used to promote out frequently - it has now shut down

The idea that Georgia's authorities is performing in Russia's curiosity is widespread amongst pro-Europeans right here.

They level to the ruling occasion's billionaire founder, Bidzina Ivanishvili, who made his fortune in Russia within the Nineties; laws mirroring Russian legal guidelines concentrating on civil society; the federal government's refusal to impose sanctions on Moscow over Ukraine and more and more hostile anti-Western rhetoric.

Georgia's leaders reject that portrayal, describing their method in direction of Russia as "pragmatic" and their main responsibility to take care of peace with their northern neighbour.

"The place are the info?" stated Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, denying pro-Russian bias throughout a current TV interview. The federal government, he stated, was being "accountable to Georgian society which desires to maintain peace within the nation".

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/5567/live/1fe6aef0-caf7-11f0-b43f-e3318ee9f4fe.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/5567/live/1fe6aef0-caf7-11f0-b43f-e3318ee9f4fe.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/5567/live/1fe6aef0-caf7-11f0-b43f-e3318ee9f4fe.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/5567/live/1fe6aef0-caf7-11f0-b43f-e3318ee9f4fe.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/5567/live/1fe6aef0-caf7-11f0-b43f-e3318ee9f4fe.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/5567/live/1fe6aef0-caf7-11f0-b43f-e3318ee9f4fe.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/5567/live/1fe6aef0-caf7-11f0-b43f-e3318ee9f4fe.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/5567/live/1fe6aef0-caf7-11f0-b43f-e3318ee9f4fe.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Batumelebi Acclaimed journalist Mzia Amaglobeli was arrested in January and remains in jail" class="sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA"/> Batumelebi Acclaimed journalist Mzia Amaglobeli was arrested in January and stays in jail

That isn't the view of one in every of Georgia's most revered journalists, Mzia Amaglobeli, imprisoned for 2 years for slapping a police officer.

"Russia is conquering us with out conflict. An oligarch is ruling our nation, depriving us of a European future and legitimising autocratic, dictatorial rule. We'd like the help of the democratic world," she instructed the BBC in a handwritten letter from jail.

Amaglobeli, who can be awarded the European Parliament's Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought subsequent month, says she has misplaced the sight of 1 eye and her remaining imaginative and prescient is worsening in solitary confinement: "I've problem studying for even 10-Quarter-hour at a time."

Georgia's democratic decline intensified even earlier than final 12 months's elections, with a June 2024 Russian-style legislation on overseas affect that focused civil society and impartial media.

College students performed an enormous half in protests on the time and the federal government has responded with sweeping schooling reforms deliberate subsequent February. Georgia's 19 state universities can be required to focus on a single tutorial self-discipline beneath the slogan "one metropolis, one college".

The reforms will deal with perceived issues together with extreme focus of universities in Tbilisi, duplication of programmes and insufficient state funding.

The prime minister argues that funding needs to be "targeted on fulfilling state duties". Main figures at Georgia's pre-eminent analysis establishment, Ilia State College, say the reform is extra about imposing political management and eradicating free area.

"After political events, media and NGOs, universities have to be put beneath stress," says Nina Doborjginidze, rector of Ilia State College. "If college students are faraway from the capital, they're faraway from the political scene."

"This isn't about schooling high quality, it is a political challenge," provides vice-rector Georgi Gvalia. "That is an abrupt change in Georgia's overseas coverage from being probably the most pro-European international locations within the area to essentially the most tough companions of the West, and alter in direction of extra autocratic nice powers, like Russia and particularly China."

Again on Rustaveli Avenue, instructor Rusudan Lomidze, who has attended the protests day-after-day, says Georgia's destiny is inextricably linked to Ukraine's.

"If Ukraine is pressured to signal a capitulation settlement, it will likely be an absolute catastrophe for us. Our boys are combating in Ukraine, and they're combating for each Ukraine and Georgia."

The crowds are smaller than they had been a 12 months in the past, however a number of hundred protesters nonetheless collect each evening regardless of the dangers.

Reflecting on her years as a diplomat working in direction of EU and Nato integration, Nata Koridze now believes "all of that has crumbled".

"However the protest embodies an thought. And concepts stay via a long time, via centuries."

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Georgia’s pro-EU protesters defiant 12 months after accession course of was halted

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