“Is it me you are afraid of?!”

Illustration by Tamunia Budaghashvili

This illustration is not just a representation, but taken from a video of a real life confrontation in Tbilisi, Georgia 2 nights ago

The latest news is that the lone woman who confronted the row of riot police was arrested and fined €900, the equivalent of 2 months wages in Georgia, and then released. We're still waiting to hear from her directly.

#GeorgiaProtests
#StandWithGeorgia

https://publika.ge/izolatorshi-rcheba-qapecrazmis-kordoni-gaarghvia-ras-yveba-advokati/

The latest news from Georgia is that the government has banned the sales of protective equipment such as gas masks, goggles and helmets.

The Georgian government don't want their people to protect themselves from the tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets the unidentified special forces are using against them.

#GeorgiaProtests
#StandWithGeorgia

After 6 days of general disinterest from Western media, The Washington Post, New York Times and the Financial Times have finally sent journalists to cover the protests in Tbilisi, Georgia.

The only problem is the journalists they have sent are all Russians.

You couldn't make it up, but then you don't need to. That's what Russian journalists do.

#GeorgiaProtests
#StandWithRussia

Medics in Georgia are appealing to the government to let them know which chemicals are being used against protestors so they can diagnose the many people coming to hospital with injuries.

The Georgian government have declined to comment.

#GeorgiaProtests
#StandWithGeorgia

"17 former U.S. national security officials and Georgia experts have published an open letter pressing the U.S. government to take measures to respond the fast-evolving crisis in Georgia. The measures include withholding recognition of results of the October 26 Parliamentary elections, sanctioning Bidzina Ivanishvili and his cronies as well as human rights abusers and extending support for President Salome Zourabichvili."

#GeorgiaProtests
#StandWithGeorgia

https://formulanews.ge/News/121087

"Svenja Schulze, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany, has announced that no new development cooperation projects with Georgia will be approved or commissioned, and no loan agreements will be signed. This decision follows the recent declaration by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze to halt the country’s EU integration process “until 2028.”

#StandWithGeorgia

https://civil.ge/archives/641255

"To Western tankies sipping latte or conservatives howling for freedom with their guns - great job advocating for a Ukraine scenario to be prevented in Georgia, while pushing for a Belarus scenario instead. That's your "freedom" and "justice."

Marika Mikiashvili,
Georgian Journalist.

#GeorgiaProtests

Breaking Georgia

Giorgi Gvimradze has stepped down as News Director of the Georgian Public Broadcaster.

#GeorgiaProtests

Breaking Georgia.

Happening in Georgia now are simultaneous police raids of offices and homes of many different opposition parties and activists and civil society groups.

It's unclear how successful these raids have been, with some leaving immediately after being challenged for the necessary paperwork, and some activists being taken into custody with their phones and laptops confiscated.

#GeorgiaProtests

In Georgia, Nika Gvaramia, one of the leaders of Coalition 4 Change was dragged by the police and thrown into a detention car as he was physically assaulted and unconscious. This happened at the party office at Sharashidze Street, Tbilisi, Georgia.

#GeorgiaProtests

In Georgia, 4 opposition politicians, Gela Khasaia, NikaGvaramia, Vepkho Kasradze, Vaso Kadzelashvili have all been arrested and detained in separate simultaneous raids by Georgian police.

#GeorgiaProtests
#StandWithGeorgia

This is Georgia now.

Nika Gvaramia, opposition party politician was assaulted in broad daylight, in the party offices, and carried away unconscious by the police.

It's just one of many raids and arrests happening simultaneously in Georgia after nights of protests.

This is Georgia now.

#GeorgiaProtests
#StandWithGeorgia

"Unlike Westerners, we do not interfere in the internal affairs of countries, in this case Georgia."

Maria Zakharova,
Russia Foreign Ministry Spokesperson and Gaslighting Award Winner.

#GeorgiaProtests

"The belief in Georgia’s nationhood as intrinsically distinct from that of Russia, hatred of Russian imperialism, and spontaneous resistance to those wishing to install tyranny at home seems to run much, much deeper. It cuts across social class, ideological preferences, and age groups, nourishing resistance."

Jaba Devdariani.

#GeorgiaProtests
#StandWithGeorgia

https://civil.ge/archives/641317

"The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, has called on the Georgian authorities to respect human rights, including the freedoms of peaceful assembly and expression, following the violent dispersal of protests in Tbilisi. He urged the immediate release of individuals detained for exercising their right to protest peacefully and condemned the use of force against demonstrators and journalists."

#GeorgiaProtests

https://civil.ge/archives/641371

In Georgia, women are gathering outside police stations across the country, demanding that the police should keep them safe instead of turning a blind eye to the beatings and detentions carried out by the unidentified security forces at the protests.

(Note: the regular police force are not involved in policing the protests in Georgia, it's left to 'special forces' who are as yet unidentified.)

#GeorgiaProtests

"My urgent call to our partners and those who want to prevent crisis to go deeper and instability, it is time to put strong pressure on a ruling party that is driving the country over the cliff! Do not be late… !"

Salome Zourabichvilli,
President,
Georgia.

#GeorgiaProtests
#StandWithGeorgia

"Georgian Protests has to be renamed Repression in Georgia.

Political leaders dragged by repressive forces, party headquarters object to search and seizure operations, offices of youth protesters are searched…

Prime Minister calls that « prevention »…"

Salome Zourabichvilli,
President,
Georgia.

#GeorgiaProtests
#RepressionInGeorgia

In Georgia, the ruling Georgian Dream party are carrying out brutal raids and detentions of opposition party members.

It is partly a reaction to the mass protests that have been shaking Georgia for the last 6 days.

Also, it was a pre-election promise.

When somebody tells you who they are..

#GeorgiaProtests
#StandWithGeorgia

https://civil.ge/archives/629429

"Those (opposition politicians) who are enemies of the people and enemies of the country must be banned.

The mere winning of the elections is not going to be decisive, that is why I say that we need a constitutional majority to ban them and get rid of them."

Bidzina Ivanishvili,
Georgian Dream party chairman,
(speaking shortly before the October 26th elections.)

#GeorgiaProtests
#RepressionInGeorgia

After a day of raids and detentions of opposition party leaders and activists, protestors are gathering in Tbilisi in just as large numbers as the last 7 nights.

Police are now stopping people in the nearby metro stations to confiscate the gas masks protestors are using to protect themselves against the tear gas the police are using on them night after night.

For shame.

#GeorgiaProtests
#RepressionInGeorgia

"Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association issued a statement saying that systemic and violent repressions against the civilians should be assessed as the crime against humanity, which can provide grounds for applying to the International Criminal Court.

The watchdog says that “the coordinated repressive measures against thousands of Georgian citizens in various cities became evident during spontaneous protests” starting from November 28th"

#RepressionInGeorgia

https://civil.ge/archives/641519

U.S. Helsinki Commission calls for immediate sanctions on Georgia.

They're really not holding back on their words here.

#GeorgiaProtests

"The de-facto Georgian government has shed all pretense of democracy and has now started arresting innocent activists and peaceful members of the opposition in their homes and places of work. Make no mistake: Georgian Dream is using Kremlin-style dictatorial tactics."

Joe Wilson,
U.S. Helsinki Commission Chairman.

#GeorgiaProtests
#RepressionInGeorgia

Ukraine President Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine plans to sanction the Georgian government, which is “pushing the country into obvious dependence on Russia.”

"What is happening in Georgia is not only a problem of one nation and not only of our region. It is simply shameful what they are doing to their own people. And when Moscow praises this government in Georgia, it clearly shows for whom they are working in Tbilisi and for whom they are dispersing the protests. Definitely not for Georgia.”

In Georgia, Irakli Shaishmelashvili, the head of the Operative Planning Unit of the Special Tasks Department that is responsible for the violent crackdowns (Zviad Kharazishvili AKA “Khareba” squad) resigns.

#GeorgiaProtests

In Georgia, Mtavari TV have just published a list of names from an anonymous Ministry of Internal Affairs source.

They are names of all the previously unidentified 'special forces' who have been brutally repressing protestors in Tbilisi for the last week.

This could get dangerous. For the secret hit squad, obviously. Some of the protestors are already in prison. Or comas.

#GeorgiaProtests

"The US stands in solidarity with the Georgian people and their democratic aspirations. Those who undermine democratic processes or institutions in Georga –including those who suppress Georgian citizens’ right to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression–will be held to account.
In addition to continuing our previously announced comprehensive review of bilateral cooperation, the US is now preparing to use the tools at our disposal, including additional sanctions."

https://www.state.gov/u-s-support-for-georgian-people/

Yesterday in Georgia there was a brutal crackdown on opposition parties and activists, with several arrests of key.

This was followed by a night of protests, the biggest yet. Somehow, the expected violent confrontations with the special forces just didn't happen. It was a calm night, the first in a week.

Something has changed in Georgia....

#GeorgiaProtests

In Georgia, Irakli Shaishmelashvili, the head of the Operative Planning Unit of the Special Tasks Department that is responsible for the violent crackdowns resigned last night.

That's confirmed. There are reports of dozens of other resignations from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but none of these have been confirmed yet. Today could be the day.

All eyes on Georgia.

#GeorgiaProtests

"We cannot afford to lose anyone in this region—not Georgia, not Moldova, not Ukraine. We must stand together to defend against Moscow. Ukraine has imposed sanctions on Ivanishvili and his associates—19 individuals who are selling out the interests of Georgia and its people.

We urge Europe, America, and the entire world to do the same—to act decisively and with principle."

President Zelenskyy,
Ukraine.

#StandWithGeorgia

"I could not say it better. Thank you Volodymyr !
Russia is trying to get back the control over the Black Sea !"

Salome Zourabichvilli,
President of Georgia,
(Response to Ukraine's sanctions against the ruling Georgian Dream party)

#StandWithGeorgia

🔥Georgian Facebook is on Fire!🔥

A list of names of the secret special forces brutalizing protestors was published last night, and now friends and relatives are publically calling them out.

This might explain why the response to the massive protests last night was so quiet. The 'special' forces were too busy furiously deleting their Facebook accounts and getting told off by their mums!

Whoever leaked that list knew what they were doing.

#GeorgiaProtests

Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Ukraine have already issued sanctions against Georgia. America have stated they are drawing up plans.

Meanwhile, in Malta at the OSCE summit today, there's a meeting of foreign ministers from U.K., Germany, Spain, Netherlands, Turkey and others to discuss a concrete plan of action over Georgia.

Not before time.

#StandWithGeorgia
#SanctionGeorgia

"Every hero policeman can be proud of what they have done for their country."

Irakli Kobakhidze,
Prime Minister,
Georgia.

Via Publika Georgia

Georgia is a country just over a quarter of the size of the U.K. and has a population of 3.7 million people.

The fact that there are over 40 towns and cities that have been protesting against the government for days is unheard of. Nothing like this has been seen in living memory.

The government may survive for a while yet, but there's no way back for them.

#GeorgiaProtests

"The Council of Europe adopted a Declaration on the situation in Georgia following the government’s decision to suspend accession negotiations with the EU.

The Declaration “condemns in this regard the violent handling of peaceful demonstrations protesting this decision, and, in line with the call of the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, reiterates the need for effective protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms – including freedom of assembly.”

https://civil.ge/archives/641974

"In a joint statement, MEPs call on the European Union to impose targeted sanctions against Bidzina Ivanishvhili and all Georgian Dream leaders responsible for reported election irregularities and the violent crackdown on peaceful demonstrators.

The MEPs single out Bidzina Ivanishvili, the honorary chair of the GD, as being “ultimately politically responsible for the wave of repressions and the suspension of the European integration process.”

#StandWithGeorgia

https://civil.ge/archives/641926

Via Jam News, Georgia

Tbilisi’s renowned graffiti artist, Gagosh, shares on Facebook his latest mural in response to the ongoing pro-European protests in the capital. Demonstrators have been using fireworks to counter the police's deployment of water cannons and tear gas.

He accompanies the post with a verse by Byron:

The stars grow jealous as the fireflies soar,
Our borrowed suns—how they crash and roar.
In those fleeting sparks, we see,
The echo of eternity.

#GeorgiaProtests

In Georgia President Salome Zourabichvili just said that Irakli Kobakhidze should resign and calls for new elections to be held within two weeks in an interview with the Georgian Public Broadcaster TV channel.

This wouldn't have happened in Georgia even a few days ago. The government had the public TV channel locked in to show nothing but propaganda.

They're losing their grip.

#GeorgiaProtests