Day: November 19, 2024

1. Georgia detains 16 protesters after clashes over disputed election  Reuters
2. Wider Europe Briefing: Georgia’s Vanishing EU Dreams  Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
3. Protesters set up camp in Tbilisi to contest elections results  Euronews
4. Protests in Georgia as poll commission confirms pro-Russia ruling party’s win  POLITICO Europe
5. “We will not leave”: Opposition paralyzes central Tbilisi demanding new parliamentary elections. Photos/video  JAMnews

1. Georgia detains 16 protesters after clashes over disputed election  Reuters
2. Protesters set up camp in Tbilisi to contest elections results  Euronews
3. Wider Europe Briefing: Georgia’s Vanishing EU Dreams  Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
4. Protests in Georgia as poll commission confirms pro-Russia ruling party’s win  POLITICO Europe
5. Black Liquid Splashed On Election Chief As Georgia Validates Disputed Poll Results  Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
6. “We will not leave”: Opposition paralyzes central Tbilisi demanding new parliamentary elections. Photos/video  JAMnews

President challenges election results as Georgia cracks down on protesters  Al Jazeera English

1. President challenges election results as Georgia cracks down on protesters  Al Jazeera English
2. Wider Europe Briefing: Georgia’s Vanishing EU Dreams  Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
3. Georgia detains 16 protesters after clashes over disputed election  Reuters.com
4. Protesters set up camp in Tbilisi to contest elections results  Euronews
5. Protests in Georgia as poll commission confirms pro-Russia ruling party’s win  POLITICO Europe
6. “We will not leave”: Opposition paralyzes central Tbilisi demanding new parliamentary elections. Photos/video  JAMnews

The Baku Harmoniya climate initiative is set to unite existing climate initiatives in food and agriculture on one platform and develop accessible guidelines to support farmers, Nigar Arpadarai, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP29 Azerbaijan, s

Police crack down Tbilisi protest

On the morning of November 19, police and special forces violently dispersed a peaceful demonstration on one of Tbilisi’s central avenues. An attempt to relocate the protesters to another area led to clashes.

Sixteen people, including women, were arrested. Video footage shows police brutally beating protesters. Many journalists were prevented from working, and one of them was also beaten and arrested.

Protesters demanding new parliamentary elections blocked Chavchavadze Avenue in Tbilisi on the evening of November 17. At dawn on November 19, thousands of police officers and special forces arrived at the scene.

Law enforcement attacked the rally participants from several sides, confiscated their dismantled tents, and forced them onto the adjacent Melikishvili Avenue.

An attempt to push the protesters to another part of the street escalated into a confrontation, prompting the police to carry out harsh arrests.

Footage shared by journalists and rally participants reveals that one of the detainees is a minor. Reports suggest his mother intervened, managing to free him from the police and escort him to safety.

During the ongoing protest on Melikishvili Avenue, Sergi Baramidze, a cameraman for the opposition TV channel Mtavari Arkhi, was detained. The channel, which aired footage of the incident, reported that police assaulted Baramidze and damaged his camera. He was released two hours later after signing a written pledge.

“They even took my jacket off when they detained me. After I was taken to the police station [there was no violence], they just had me sign a pledge to appear when summoned, and that was it.”

According to the Media, Information, and Social Studies Centre, OC Media journalist Mariam Nikuradze was also prevented from working during the dispersal of the protest. Her mobile phone, which she was using to photograph detainees, was confiscated.

Several other journalists were subjected to physical violence and restrictions on their work.

One of the leaders of the opposition Unity-National Movement coalition, Giorgi Vashadze, stated that senior police officers attempted to detain him and another party leader, Nika Melia.

Reports indicate that members of the opposition coalition For Change are among those detained, including Nika Kvitatiani, who required hospitalization.

It has also been confirmed that, along with the Mtavari Arkhi cameraman, two previously detained women were also released.

According to Nona Kurdovanidze, Chair of the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association, the unified hotline of non-governmental organisations received reports of 12 detainees.

“Lawyers are working to locate them, and we will ensure no one is left without assistance,” Kurdovanidze assured.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed to the online outlet Publika that 16 people had been detained, three of whom have already been released on written pledges.

Meanwhile, opposition leaders announced that the protest would continue, transitioning into a “mobile” format.

“Rule number one: we don’t let [the police] catch us. Rule number two: we keep our distance from the police. If they move toward us, we move too; if they stop, we stop,” instructed Giorgi Vashadze during the protest.

Police crack down Tbilisi protest

In a press conference today at COP29, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack highlighted the significant strides made by the Biden administration in advancing climate-smart agriculture and food systems, both domestically and globally, Azernews reports.

In a press conference today at COP29, CEQ Chair Mallory highlighted the Biden administration’s progress in conservation and climate action, noting that over 45 million acres of land have been conserved as part of the administration’s goal to protect 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030, Azernews reports.

Oil prices experienced an increase in world stock markets, with Brent crude and Azeri Light marking notable gains.

Abkhazia’s leader resigns after protests over investment deal  Euronews