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.
"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.
"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.
"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."
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.)
"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.
"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.
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..
"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.)
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.
"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"
U.S. Helsinki Commission calls for immediate sanctions on Georgia.
They're really not holding back on their words here.
"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.
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.
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.
"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."
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....
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.
"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.
"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)
🔥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.
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.
"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.
"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.”
"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.”
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.
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.
It's torture in Georgia.
Powerful victims testimonies in the article below speak of brutal and systemic torture of protestors in Georgia by unidentified special forces.
It's not hyperbolic to call it torture. It's the word used by Georgia's public defender, who has begun an investigation.
https://tabula.ge/ge/news/726892-rogor-acama-ivanishvilis-rezhimma-demonstrantebi
In Tbilisi, Georgia, the ruling party just want the protests outside parliament to go away now. The main issue is that the protestors have been outside parliament for the last 8 nights running and they can't put the Christmas tree up.
It's a real problem....
https://tabula.ge/ge/news/726944-tbilservis-jgupis-tkmit-utsnobia-rodis-sad
💥 “I think it would be fair to say that the current illegitimate Georgian government is a Russian puppet government."
Bill Browder.
Saying this, out loud, for the world to hear, at the U S. Senate Foreign Relations committee hearing.
"We think that enough time has passed and enough events have happened for the emotions to go low and for life to return to normal."
Papuashvili,
Speaker,
Georgian Parliament.
Georgian Parliament, last night 👇
Today the French, British and German ambassadors to Georgia met with the Georgian public defenders team to demand an investigation into the violent detentions and inhumane treatment at protests.
The public defender in Georgia has broken with the ruling party and is investigating these cases. He's calling it torture.
"I am writing this letter from the pre-trial detention center. I am unlawfully detained. They asked me to lie and name people, claiming that they were financing me and that I was carrying out their orders. They asked me to name Japaridze, Khoshtaria, Gvaramia (opposition politicians) and other individuals. I could not state the above, because nothing like this happened. I am declaring a hunger strike. We will win this fight together."
Revaz Kikvadze,
Unlawfully detained Georgian protestor.
Solidarity With Georgia.
Protests are being held across Europe and the U.S. this weekend.
Last night in Tbilisi, Georgia, the brutal crackdown against peaceful protestors was back in a big way.
There were 50 arrests, 'special forces' were hunting protestors though the streets, beating anyone they could catch. Armed criminals and Russian FSB members were spotted as informal support to the special forces.
None of this is stopping the protestors. It's making them angry. Nobody's backing down.
"I'm 14, photographing the violent protests in Georgia. The EU dream is slipping away.
Young people are very angry and they are not thinking about anything else apart from the protests. There are no other priorities. The priority is to save our country. Protesters say we are protecting you and your kids’ future so you don’t wake up in Russia tomorrow."
Nestan,
Georgia.
Nestan is a 14-year old Georgian high school student who has spent nearly a year photographing demonstrations in Tbilisi, Georgia. Since the Georgian Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, announced that Georgia is suspending its bid for European Union integration last week, mass protests have swept the country. Full integration into the EU is enshrined in Georgia’s
"We, the undersigned Global Women Leaders, stand in solidarity with the Georgian people and President Salome Zourabichvili during this critical juncture in Georgia’s history. Recent events in Tbilisi, where over 200,000 citizens have taken to the streets to protest the Russia-aligned ruling party’s suspension of EU accession talks, underscore the profound commitment of the Georgian people to their European future and democratic path."
Open Letter.
https://giwps.georgetown.edu/open-letter-support-georgia-president-salome-zourabichvili/
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY In Support of the Georgian People and President Salome Zourabichvili December 6, 2024 We, the undersigned Global Women Leaders, stand in solidarity with the Georgian people and President Salome Zourabichvili during this critical juncture in Georgia’s history. Recent events in Tbilisi, where over 200,000 citizens have taken to the […]
There is some confusion in Georgia of the exact details of this incident, but it is heartbreaking.
What is confirmed is that a woman is dead and her mother is critically injured after a car accident. It is thought they were on the way to protests in Tbilisi, Georgia.
https://publika.ge/jipiai-avtoavariashi-daighuhalgazrda-qali-romelic-aqciaze-myofi-midioda/
This video shows the Georgian PM laughingly stating they had arrested all the opposition leaders causing violent protests and that due to this action the violent protests were over.
It's cut with scenes of horrific violence by 'special forces' at protests later that same day.
Ignore the gaslighting. In Georgia, ALL the protests start out as peaceful protests. And then the special forces show up....
Video by Elene Mgeladze, Publika Georgia.
Parliament, Tbilisi, Georgia, Now.
"We asked, 'Who are you?' and they said, 'We are your grandmothers and grandfathers. We have come to shield you.'
"Everyone was in tears."
Natalia Tchamiashvili
This is Georgia's President Salome Zourabchivili meeting Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy in Paris today.
I'm posting this photograph purely because it will have Putin and his allies spitting feathers.
"I met with the President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, in Paris.
I expressed Ukraine’s full support and solidarity with the Georgian people, who are fighting for their dignified future, and emphasized that respecting the will of the Georgian people and preventing Ivanishvili’s government from surrendering the country to Putin is essential for the stability and future of the region."
President Zelenskyy,
Ukraine.
/1👇
"For Russia, this is not just about Georgia—it is about control of the Black Sea region, a strategic Russian goal that poses a threat to the national security of everyone in the region and across Europe.
I assured President Zourabichvili that Ukraine will coordinate with partners, not just in Europe but globally, to deliver a systemic response and support the Georgian people in defending their right to live freely and independently."
President Zelenskyy,
Ukraine.
/2
"In Georgia, there are so many incoming reports of people ambushed and assaulted by unidentified masked thugs that I am simply not keeping up with it."
Marika Mikiashvili,
Georgia.
"For the tenth consecutive day in Tbilisi, citizens are protesting against Georgian Dream's pro-Russian policies.
Today, there are no special forces or police on the streets. Instead, groups of violent men dressed in black are running around, beating people."
Publika,
Georgia.
In Georgia right now there seems to be a major escalation of violence.
Protestors, journalists and opposition politicians are being attacked, on the streets, in their offices and in their homes.
These are not police or 'special forces', but unidentified thugs working for the regime. They are not arresting anybody, just beating them near half to death.
There's no more pretending. It's pure violent brutality.
Happening now in Tbilisi, Georgia. After the tenth night of protests outside parliament with violent regime thugs terrorising the people, this morning they're putting up the Christmas tree.
They really are going there. Putting up a Christmas tree on the same spot outside parliament which has seen tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets and bloodshed.
Georgians are furious.
"Putin didn’t even bother to help his closest ally, Assad, and Georgian Dream propaganda wants us to believe that he will come to save Ivanishvili."
Anna Gvarishvili,
Georgian journalist.
As medical professionals petition the Georgian ruling party to stop using tear gas and other unknown chemicals against peaceful protestors, the ruling party are going the other way entirely.
The illegitimate government in Georgia just announced they are going to legislate against the use of gas masks at peaceful protests.
There are no lines left in Georgia.
"Merry Crisis And A Happy New Fear!"
The illegitimate government in Georgia are hoping the magic of Christmas will make all their problems disappear.
They are pressing ahead with putting up their annual tree outside parliament in Tbilisi, as if massive protests haven't been happening on that very same spot for the last 10 days straight.
It's already been renamed by the people of Georgia as the Crisis Tree.
On the morning of 8 December, Tbilisi City Hall began setting up a Christmas tree on Rustaveli Avenue, the site of daily protests since late November, where demonstrators have been advocating for Georgia’s movement towards the EU.
Protestors in Georgia have started hanging images of beaten protestors on the Christmas tree being erected outside parliament in Tbilisi.
In Tbilisi, Georgia, the Christmas tree outside parliament now has a police guard while the construction is being completed.
Photos of injured protestors have been removed from the main tree, and are now being hung on the trees next to the Christmas tree.
The magic of Christmas has gone it's own way in Georgia this year.
In Georgia there has been a steady flow of resignations by presenters on the main regime controlled TV channels this weekend. Even they have seen enough now.
The drip drip effect on Georgian Dream's authority continues.
In Tbilisi, the Christmas tree outside parliament has turned into a battle zone.
Protestors keep putting photos of injured protestors up on it, police keep taking them down, protestors put them back up again. This is how it looks right now.
In Georgia, journalists and reporters have been brutally attacked by unidentified masked agents working for the regime.
Undaunted, here is a Mtavari TV reporter confronting one of those agents in his car. She is asking him to take his mask off and get out of his car to explain himself.
This. This is journalism.
After travelling to the reopening of Notre Dame cathdral in Paris, where she had a series of high level meetings with world leaders, Georgia's President Salome Zourabchivili travelled home.
She was in economy class, because of course she was.
Selfie by Maiko Dzneladze
Levan Ioseliani, Public Defender of Georgia, met with U.S. Ambassador to discuss activists still being held in detention and medical centres.
Demetre Grigalashvili, a senior investigator of the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia: “Violence against a peaceful citizen, protester or journalist is not, has never been and will never be justified!"
The Special Investigation Service has launched an investigation into the attack on TV Pirveli employees.
Little ripples of defiance in Georgia.
Thank you for keeping the focus on the important story in #Georgia
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