Police in Tbilisi started using gas and rolled out water cannons against protesters

Georgian police started using gas and rolled out water cannons against protesters on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi. Images from the scene of the protests are at the disposal of Izvestia.

"Detentions are beginning. Water cannons have been rolled out, they are not being used yet," Izvestia correspondent Ilya Anikeev reported.

He specified that the crowd of protesters began to "scatter." People are moving further along Rustaveli Avenue.

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Protests continue in Tbilisi over the suspension of negotiations on European integration. The protesters oppose the decision to postpone negotiations with the European Union (EU). The Georgian Interior Ministry reported that 32 police officers required medical assistance after the dispersal of unrest near the parliament building.

On December 2, Georgian security forces were forced to use tear gas to disperse demonstrators in the center of Tbilisi. On November 30, protesters attempted to set fire to the Georgian parliament building and damaged dozens of offices.

Amid these events, Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili refused to step down when her term expires at the end of December. In response, Kobakhidze warned that she would be required by law to leave office.

Before that, on November 28, the ruling Georgian Dream party decided to suspend until 2028 discussions with the EU on opening accession talks. As Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze specified, Georgia will continue to fulfill its obligations under the associated membership and free trade agreement and will fulfill them by 90% by 2028.