20 Dec 2024 | 10:15 AM UTC
Georgia: Protest activity likely to intensify in Tbilisi and other urban centers through at least end of December /update 12
Intensifying protests likely in Tbilisi and other cities in Georgia through end of December. Heightened security, disruptions likely.
Anti-government protests will likely continue and possibly intensify in major cities across Georgia through at least the end of December. As of Dec. 20, multiple associations have demonstrated on 22 consecutive days in Tbilisi. Multiple rallies will almost definitely continue in the coming days.
Protest activity may increase ahead of Dec. 29, when President Salome Zourabichvili is scheduled to vacate office in favor of president-elect Mikheil Kavelashvili. However, Zourabichvili has declared that she will not leave office, claiming that the country's parliament is "illegitimate" and the Oct. 26 elections were "stolen".
On Dec. 20, multiple groups plan demonstrations in Tbilisi and other cities. Examples include residents' protests, rallies at the Gldani detention center to demand the release of detained protesters, a march from Marjanishvili Square to finance company headquarters, a protest by legal staff at the High Council of Justice, a demonstration in Europe Square, and additional separate events led by groups of students, power engineers, education workers, and vegans. Groups plan further events at the city hall in Kutaisi and at the Constitutional Court in Batumi.
Since late November, over 400 protesters have been arrested. Authorities have sentenced dozens to imprisonment and have imposed fines on hundreds more. Hundreds of police officers have been injured in the protests and associated clashes. International bodies have denounced incidents of violence against journalists and protesters.
In Tbilisi, thousands of protesters will likely continue to gather at central locations, including the Parliament on Shota Rustaveli Avenue, Freedom Square, the Presidential Palace, the headquarters of the ruling Georgian Dream party, Republic Square, Heroes' Square, and at Tbilisi State University. Related demonstrations are also likely in other cities across the country.
Authorities will likely continue to deploy a heightened security presence to the sites of any protests that materialize. Police will almost certainly attempt to forcibly arrest protesters perceived to be particularly unruly. Transport and business disruptions will probably affect areas subject to protest activity. Additional acts of vandalism and clashes between demonstrators, law enforcement officers, and ideologically opposed individuals remain possible.
Avoid all demonstrations as a standard precaution. Exercise caution around government and court buildings as well as political party offices. Allow extra time for travel during periods of protest activity, and consider taking alternative routes to circumvent affected areas and any disruptions. If violence breaks out in your area, immediately depart the vicinity and seek shelter in a secure, nongovernmental building. Adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.
Following the Oct. 26 parliamentary elections, the country's electoral commission announced that the ruling Georgian Dream party had won 54 percent of the vote. Salome Zourabichvili says that she would not leave office when her term ends in December, claiming that the country's parliament is "illegitimate" and the Oct. 26 elections were "stolen." Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, former chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, has accused the political opposition of planning a revolution.
On Nov. 28, the ruling Georgian Dream party anounced that it would halt EU accession negotiations until 2028. This statement prompted the current phase of intense demonstrations.
On Dec. 14, the Electoral College elected Mikheil Kavelashvili as president; outgoing President Salome Zourabichvili rejected this appointment and has called for the EU to use more leverage to back opposition rallies.
On Dec. 19, the UK and US announced sanctions on Georgian officials for human rights abuses in responding to the protests. A majority of EU countries sought to implement sanctions however these were vetoed by Hungary and Slovakia.
