18 Nov 2019 | 05:40 PM UTC
Georgia: Police disperse opposition protest in Tbilisi November 18 /update 2
Police forcibly disperse opposition protest in Tbilisi on November 18; additional demonstrations possible over the coming days
Event
Thousands of protesters gathered in Tbilisi for a second consecutive day on Monday, November 18, to denounce the government's failure to pass a planned electoral reform. Clashes erupted in the vicinity of the Parliament of Georgia after police used tear gas and water cannons to forcibly disperse protesters. According to opposition activists, dozens of demonstrators were reportedly arrested.
Additional protests are possible in Tbilisi over the coming days. A heightened security presence and associated transportation disruptions are likely near protest sites, and clashes between security forces and protesters cannot be ruled out.
Context
Several thousand people participated in opposition protests in Tbilisi on November 13 and 14, to demand fair parliamentary elections in 2020. Lawmakers failed to pass a constitutional amendment that would have instituted a proportional voting system for the 2020 elections. Activists have called for protests to continue indefinitely and opposition lawmakers will reportedly demand that parliamentary elections be moved up and held under the proportional voting system.
Advice
Individuals in Tbilisi are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests and demonstrations as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.
