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Thousands rallied in the capital, Tbilisi, and other cities across the country. Alamy

Over 40 pro-EU protesters arrested during major demonstrations in Georgia

Protestors took to the streets over a decision by the Prime Minister to delay seeking EU membership.

POLICE IN GEORGIA arrested 43 protesters during a violent crackdown on an overnight protest against the government’s decision to delay pursuing membership of the EU.

A total of 32 police officers were injured, according to the interior ministry, as thousands rallied in the capital, Tbilisi, and other cities across the country after the Prime Minister announced the decision yesterday evening.

The interior ministry labelled the demonstrators ‘hooligans’ as riot police fired rubber bullets and tear gas, and deployed water cannons, beating peaceful protesters and journalists outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, an AFP reporter saw.

The move comes amid a post-election crisis that has seen the president challenge the legitimacy of the newly elected parliament and government.

police-use-a-water-cannon-to-prevent-protesters-pouring-into-the-streets-following-georgian-prime-minister-irakli-kobakhidzes-announcement-rallying-outside-the-parliament-building-in-tbilisi-georgi Police use a water cannon to prevent protesters pouring into the streets following the Georgian Prime Minister's announcement. Alamy Alamy

Two female politicians from the opposition Coalition for Change, Elene Khoshtaria and Nana Malashkhia, were reportedly injured during the protests. Khoshtaria sustained a broken arm, while Malashkhia suffered a broken nose, the coalition said.

The prime minister’s announcement came hours after the European Parliament adopted a non-binding resolution rejecting the results of Georgia’s recent parliamentary elections, alleging “significant irregularities”.

But he pledged to continue implementing reforms, asserting: “By 2028, Georgia will be more prepared than any other candidate country to open accession talks with Brussels and become a member state in 2030.”

Opposition lawmakers are boycotting the new parliament, alleging fraud in the October elections, in which the ruling Georgian Dream party gained a new majority.

President Zurabishvili – at loggerheads with the ruling party Georgian Dream – has declared the ballot “unconstitutional” and is seeking to annul the election results through the Constitutional Court.

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    Mute Shaun Gallagher
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    Sep 13th 2024, 1:54 PM

    Some people really don’t know how to use common sense.

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    Mute Susan
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    Sep 13th 2024, 3:13 PM

    We travelled to Derry for the 1st time this year purely because our kids begged us to go see this. Glad we got to see it before this happened!

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    Mute Sam0605 Neary
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    Sep 13th 2024, 2:21 PM

    I can’t remember Niall Horan in it on the left..

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    Mute Patrick MC Dermott
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    Sep 13th 2024, 3:44 PM

    @Sam0605 Neary: He’s the wee Limey.

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    Mute denis silver
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    Sep 13th 2024, 5:55 PM

    Maybe a bicycle shelter would look better after all they dont actually cover anything and blend seamlessly in with their surroundings

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    Mute Ronan Mc
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    Sep 13th 2024, 3:25 PM

    Dose!

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    Mute Dave c
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    Sep 13th 2024, 4:53 PM

    Am I the only one who thought Derry Girls was rubbish?

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    Mute Steve O'Farrell
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    Sep 13th 2024, 5:20 PM

    @Dave c: I’d say you’re a fairly small minority, yeah ;)

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    Mute Oh Mammy
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    Sep 13th 2024, 5:48 PM

    Visitations are way down because of the airport caps not the smoking pen

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    Mute mike olin
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    Sep 13th 2024, 9:35 PM

    hi and thanks for the great article .. as usual Valerie puts it right up there and clearly with respect . great work .Valerie ..

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