European Parliament declares Georgian election falsified
On 28 November, the European Parliament adopted a resolution stating that the parliamentary elections held in Georgia on 26 October were rigged. The document rejects the election results and calls for sanctions against the leaders of the Georgian Dream party.
According to the resolution, the European Parliament refuses to recognize the election results and demands new parliamentary elections in an “improved electoral environment under the supervision of an independent and impartial electoral administration.”
This is the first resolution adopted by the European Parliament following the 26 October elections.
The document is titled: “On the Democratic Crisis in Georgia, Worsened by the Latest Parliamentary Elections and Alleged Fraud.”
The resolution received near-unanimous support and was submitted by five main European Parliament groups: the European People’s Party, Social Democrats, Greens, Liberals, and European Conservatives.
The resolution was supported by 444 MEPs, with 72 voting against and 82 abstaining.
Although the resolution is not legally binding, it serves as an important political and symbolic document, reflecting the position of the directly elected body of the European Union.
Key provisions of resolution:
Criticismof the election: The resolution explicitly states that the October elections did not meet international standards for democratic elections. It highlights numerous violations, including voter intimidation, bribery, obstacles for observers, vote manipulation, and confiscation of voter IDs.
Demand for new election: The European Parliament refuses to recognize the election results and demands new parliamentary elections under improved conditions and supervised by an independent electoral administration.
Sanctions Against Bidzina Ivanishvili: Special attention is given to the role of Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder of the Georgian Dream party, in the “democratic regression” and harm to the country’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations in favor of closer ties with Russia. The European Parliament calls for personal sanctions against him.
Sanctions against other Georgian Dream leaders: The resolution suggests imposing sanctions on other Georgian Dream leaders, including Irakli Kobakhidze, Kakha Kaladze, Shalva Papuashvili, and Irakli Garibashvili.
Appeal for Mikhail Saakashvili’s pardon: The European Parliament urges President Salome Zourabichvili to pardon former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, who has been in detention for four years.
Limitations of resolution
The European Parliament itself does not have the authority to impose sanctions. This is the prerogative of EU member states, which make such decisions based on consensus.
According to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, at least four countries—Hungary, Slovakia, Italy, and Bulgaria—currently do not support sanctions against Ivanishvili and representatives of the Georgian government.
European Parliament declares Georgian election falsified
Fazil Gasimov, an Azerbaijani doctoral student at Istanbul University who was detained in Turkey in August 2023 and later extradited to Azerbaijan, has reportedly been subjected to severe torture while in custody, according to Rufat Safarov, executive director of the “Defence Line” human rights organization.
Speaking to Meydan TV, Safarov detailed the allegations, highlighting escalating abuse at the Treatment Facility of Azerbaijan’s Penitentiary Service.
Safarov claims Gasimov was tortured on November 16 after attempting to communicate in English with his family during a monitored phone call. According to Safarov, Gasimov implored his family to raise awareness about his plight, leading authorities to cut the call short and subsequently retaliate against him. “They tore his clothes, dragged him away, and tortured him,” Safarov alleged, identifying Major Jalal Alizadeh as one of the perpetrators.
A day later, Gasimov was reportedly taken to a meeting room with lawyers, where his hands and feet were bound, and attempts were made to forcibly shave his head. Protesting loudly, Gasimov reportedly caused such a commotion that nearby prisoners and staff gathered. The incident allegedly ended with Gasimov bleeding heavily from the nose, prompting the intervention of a doctor before he was returned to his cell.
The rights defender also reported that other prisoners who showed solidarity with Gasimov have faced punitive measures, including the withdrawal of their medical treatment and their return to harsher detention conditions. Gasimov, who has been on a hunger strike for over five months, was eventually transferred back to the Kurdakhani Pre-Trial Detention Center in Baku. Safarov alleged that Gasimov was beaten and stripped of written petitions and personal notes during the transfer, leaving him in a weakened state.
Safarov has urged Azerbaijan’s Ombudsman, Sabina Aliyeva, to intervene, emphasizing the severity of Gasimov’s deteriorating health and the need to address ongoing instances of alleged torture. He also accused Azerbaijani authorities of systematically targeting Gasimov, describing his treatment as part of a broader campaign of inhumane practices. “This is a person who could have contributed greatly to society, yet his career, health, and dignity have been destroyed,” Safarov said, recounting earlier allegations of electric shocks, physical humiliation, and coercion into providing false testimony against economist Gubad Ibadoglu.
Gasimov and Ibadoglu were charged under Article 204.3.1 of Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code, and accused of circulating counterfeit currency. Authorities allege that $40,000 in cash, some of it counterfeit, was discovered in Ibadoglu’s office, purportedly brought from Turkey. Both men have denied the charges, with Ibadoglu claiming the evidence was planted and his detention politically motivated. While Ibadoglu was released from prison in April 2024 and placed under house arrest, his party, the Azerbaijan Democracy and Welfare Party, was effectively suspended weeks later, allegedly due to bureaucratic hurdles in its registration.
The Penitentiary Service has denied the allegations of torture, maintaining that all detainees’ legal rights are upheld. Gasimov’s case has drawn international attention to the state of human rights in Azerbaijan, with advocacy groups warning of a pattern of abuse against political dissidents, academics, and activists.
Irakli Kobakhidze announced on November 28 that the ruling Georgian Dream party decided to abort the efforts to start the accession negotiations with the EU “until 2028.” He also said the cabinet would refuse all EU budget support. According to him, Georgia will enter the EU in 2030, but on its own terms, “with dignity.” This statement contradicts the EU accession procedure.
The statement comes as the Georgian Dream claims victory in the October 26 elections despite concerns about massive vote-rigging. The President and opposition reject the results and consider the Parliament illegitimate, while the President’s appeal to the Constitutional Court remains, so far, unanswered. The European Parliament passed a resolution the same day, which gave credence to these claims and called for sanctions against GD leaders and a re-run of the parliamentary elections.
The dramatic decision effectively alters Georgia’s foreign policy, as enshrined in the constitution. Speaking alongside the opposition, the President pledged resistance while citizens gathered to protest.
Friday, November 29
09:35 – MIA: 43 Arrested
The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) issued a statement saying 43 people have been arrested during the protest under administratice charges of petty hooliganism (Article 166) and disobeying lawful police orders (Article 173). The MIA said 32 of its officers were injured during the protests, 13 needed surgery, and one is still in the hospital.
The MIA also claimed that it used “special means allowed by law …to prevent violent acts” by protesters. But multiple reports indicate unlawful and excessive use of force by officers. Witnesses reported targeted pepper spray attacks and the combined use of a water cannon and chemical irritants. These were also noted by the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association, a local human rights watchdog.
08:15 – Red Security Level in Effect in Parliament
From November 29, the Parliament building will be under a special “red security level,” which will deny entry to anyone, including journalists, the Parliament’s press service reported. Only “persons authorized by the head of the Parliament office on the basis of the need to avoid danger” will be allowed inside.
06:30 – President: I expect a strong reaction from European capitals
President Salome Zurabishvili addresses the unfolding events in Tbilisi in a social media post, “Protests and repression still ongoing in central Tbilisi. Targeted are journalists and political leaders. I expect a strong reaction from european capitals.”
05:50 – Two Women Politicians Reported Injured
Two women politicians, Elene Khoshtaria and Nana Malashkhia (woman with an EU flag from the 2023 anti-Foreign Agents’ law rally) of the Coalition for Change were reported to have been injured during the protests: Khoshtaria has broken arm, and Malashkhia has a broken nose.
05: 40 – Formula TV Journalist Attacked at a Rally
Guram Rogava, a journalist from Formula TV, who was covering the overnight protest, was physically, in a targeted manner, assaulted by one of the unidentified people dressed in black, wearing helmets and gas masks, have been operating in tandem with the riot police line, chasing and beating peaceful protesters. He was injured and hospitalized with head and suspected back trauma.
04:07 – President: I stand with Georgian Media
President Salome Zurabishvili reacted to the reports of attacks on journalist during the protest rally on Rustaveli avenue on November 28-29. She wrote: “I stand with the Georgian media, who are disproportionately targeted and attacked while doing their job and reporting continuously.”
04:05 – One More Journalist Attacked and Injured
Journalist Lekso Keshelashvili, of Publika was reportedly beaten and arrested while carrying out his professional duties. Lekso went online and said that he probably had a broken nose and head injuries, his colleague wrote on FB. He is now being taken to hospital. His camera was taken from him.
03: 15 – GYLA: Dispersal is Unlawful, Involves Disproportionate Force and Amounts to Inhumane Treatment
The watchdog Young Georgian Lawyers’ Association said in its statement that the protests on Rustaveli Avenue are being dispersed with the usual unlawful and disproportionate use of force. There is evidence of violations of the norms for the use of active special means, including the targeted use of pepper spray in the face and the mixing of two special means, a water cannon and a chemical irritant. This practice is highly problematic, says the wathdog, for a number of reasons. In particular:
It is not known what the acceptable concentration of a chemical irritant in water is that poses a significant risk to human health; When clothing is soaked with a chemical irritant, a person cannot escape its effects; In addition, when a person’s clothing is soaked, it is impossible to control the level and duration of exposure to a chemical irritant. Given that health risks increase with the concentration and duration of exposure to chemicals, mixing water and chemicals violates the duty of law enforcement to minimize harm. Moreover, using the jet cold water, given the low outside temperature, is an inhumane treatment.
“We once again call on the officers of the Ministry of Interior to disobey illegal orders and to stop dispersing peaceful demonstrators in a manner that is tantamount to a crime,” GYLA said. It further called on the Ministry of Interior to make public the means it is using, including for medical purposes, so that medical personnel have the opportunity to respond appropriately to the injured.
02:40 – Coalition for Change Members Injured
Media reports indicate that members of the Coalition for Change have been injured – one of its leaders, Elene Khoshtaria, became sick after inhaling tear gas and standing under the water cannon (which reportedly has some gas mixed in), while Boris (Chele) Kurua suffered a head injury from allegedly a rubber bullet.
02:30 – The Dispersal on Rustaveli Avenue Started
The brutal dispersal started on Rustaveli avenue. Unidentified people in black overalls, helmets and gas masks are operating in front of the riot police line, chasing and beating peaceful protesters. Meanwhile the water cannons are blasting the water, mixed with unidentified substance. The new water canons, that Minister of Interior boasted about recently are much more powerful than the ones MIA had previously used. TV Pirveli cameraman was attacked and injured during the dispersal by the mentioned unidentified people without any insignia.
02:11 – MIA Uses Water Cannons Against Demonstrators
Riot police began using water cannons against demonstrators in an attempt to break up the rally. The water is reportedly mixed with pepper spray. The temperature in Tbilisi currently is close to zero degrees Celsius. The police is actively arresting demonstrators.
02:09 – Three Demonstrators Arrested in the Past Half an Hour
According to media reports, three demonstrators have been arrested in the last half hour. Riot police are actively using tear gas and pepper spray to break up the rally. Warnings to leave the area have been sounding for a while now.
02:01 – Riot Police Physically Assault an Elderly Demonstrator
While preparing to break up the rally, the riot police caught an elderly demonstrator, beat him up and dragged him to their car. They once again used tear gas and pepper spray against the demonstrators.
01:30 – MIA: Three Policemen Injured, Special Means Used
The MIA reports that the peaceful protest “exceeded the norms established by the Law on Assembly and Demonstration.” The Ministry claims that three policemen were injured, two of them hospitalized, by demonstrators throwing objects at the police. It also admits to having used special means – tear gas and pepper spray – “to defuse the situation”. It reiterates its call for respect for the law and warns against the continued use of special means.
01:20 – TV Pirveli Camera Man Injured by Pepper Spray
TV Pirveli reports that its cameraman Niko Kokaia was injured while performing his professional duties by a riot policeman who sprayed Kokaia in the eyes with pepper spray from close range.
01:19 – Former PM Kvirikashvili Raises Questions on GD’s Decision
Former Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili issued a statement saying that the “temporary halt” of the EU accession process is in contradiction with the electoral promise given to the voters of GD to move towards the EU “with dignity”, therefore is “complete ignorance of the will of the majority”. Kvirikashvili stated that with this step Georgian Dream is “damaging its own legitimacy, which is completely incomprehensible in an already fragile environment”.
“European integration is a two-way process, and its renewal and the setting of deadlines for accession negotiations are not the unilateral prerogative of a candidate country. Georgia’s suspension of the process sends an extremely negative signal about a qualitative change in the country’s strategy. It is unclear what political and pragmatic arguments are behind this action. I believe that the government should demonstrate its commitment to its main electoral promise as soon as possible, which is to resume the process of active integration with the European Union without compromising on the protection of traditional and family values,” reads the statement.
01:08 – Riot Police Sprays Tear Gas, Pepper Spray
The riot police stationed near the Parliament on Chichinadze Street began spraying tear gas and pepper spray. Several people were injured and required medical attention, as they were sprayed in the eyes, including UNM’s leader Sopo Japaridze. These measures to disperse the rally haven’t been used intensively yet, but the situation remains tense. The police took away the handmade banner that a demonstrator had made from the iron fence installed in front of the Parliament building, which read “Rise up!”.
00:51 – TI Georgia Calls on Police not to Use Violent Measures Against Demonstrators
Transparency International Georgia issued a statement calling on law enforcement officials not to obey “unlawful orders” and use violent methods to disperse the demonstration. The organization notes that people’s “legitimate protest” is taking place peacefully in Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Zugdidi, Gori, and Batumi, however, violent measures by law enforcers were still observed, including cases of use of special means – tear gas and pepper spray, in addition to physical abuse. “Citizens’ protest is legitimate,” the organization stressed.
00:10 – MIA: One Police Officer Injured by Demonstrators
The MIA issued a statement saying that despite calls by law enforcement for the demonstrators to protest peacefully, they “continue to confront law enforcement officers and verbally abuse them.” The MIA also claims that the protesters injured one police officer, who was taken to a hospital.
Dozens of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs employees have issued a joint statement in connection with Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s announcement to stop EU accession. They express their commitment to Georgia’s EU aspirations, stressing that the enlargement window that is now open may never be reopened, and if Georgia stops on this path, it risks facing isolation.
23:30 – President Joins Protest, Talks to Special Forces
President Salome Zurabishvili joined the peaceful demonstrators in front of the Parliament, where special forces had already been mobilized along with water cannons. After joining the rally, the President went directly to the representatives of the special forces and tried to talk to them. She asked them, “Don’t you talk to your President?” and urged them to think about their country, their children and the future.
The special forces remain concentrated to begin dispersing the rally.
President talks to special forces. Source: Formula TV
23:20 – MIA Warns Demonstrators of Legal Response in Case of ‘Illegal Actions’
The Ministry of Internal Affairs has issued a statement saying that law enforcement officers have been mobilized to various places in Georgia where people are protesting against Georgian Dream’s announcement of termination of EU accession. They claim that the right to assembly and demonstration, as well as expression, is protected in accordance with the law. “We call on the organizers of the rally, political leaders and participants to express their protest within the framework established by the law. Any illegal action will be met with an appropriate legal response from the police,” reads the statement.
20:54 – Police Arrests Peaceful Demonstrator in Kutaisi
Police arrestedMisha Mumladze in Kutaisi. He was peacefully demonstrating with locals in Kutaisi when he called for people to cross the street and the police attacked him, dragged him, tore his clothes and despite calls to stop and that he was unwell, they took him to the police car and arrested him. The police said that Mumladze didn’t respect their order and verbally assulted them.
20:30 – Parallel Rallies Around Georgia
Locals are gathering in various regions of Georgia. At the moment it is known that there are rallies in Zugdidi, Kutaisi and Batumi. People in Tbilisi are gathering in three places: in front of the Parliament, Georgian Dream headquarters and the Presidential administration.
Demonstrators gather in front of GD HQ in Tbilisi. Photo: Guram Muradov/Civil.ge
Police mobilization in front of GD HQ in Tbilisi. Photo: Guram Muradov/Civil.ge
Police mobilization in front of GD HQ in Tbilisi. Photo: Guram Muradov/Civil.ge
20:00 – Culture Sphere, CSO Representatives Call for New Struggle Against Russian Regime
Representatives of cultural spheres and civil society announced protests against the “unconstitutional” decision of the Georgian Dream party to abort the EU accession. Rati Amaglobeli, one of the demonstrators, called the decision of PM Kobakhidze a betrayal and said that Georgian citizens should not come to terms with it, announcing a new struggle against the Russian regime in Georgia and calling on the EU to disregard the announcement of the illegitimate government. He said that today a new phase has begun for a free Georgian citizen.
Citizens gather in front of the Georgian Dream Headquarters in Tbilisi.
19:00 – President Scheduled Meeting with Representatives of Diplomatic Corps
According to the presidential administration, Salome Zurabishvili, the President of Georgia has scheduled an emergency meeting with representatives of the diplomatic corps. This comes after the Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, announced a decision to reject accession negotiations with the EU until 2028.
18:15 – GD breaks off the accession process with the EU
GD breaks off the accession process with the EU, which had already been frozen by Brussels due to Tbilisi’s refusal to meet the reform targets for eligibility. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced the ruling Georgian Dream party’s decision to reject accession negotiations with the EU until 2028 and to refuse all EU budget support.
In accordance with the order of President Ilham Aliyev, the next migration caravan consisting of families temporarily settled in dormitories, sanatoriums and administrative buildings in different areas of Azerbaijan left Garadagh district of Baku city for Jabrayil, according to the First State Program on the Great Return to the territories freed from occupation.
Security forces used tear gas and water cannon to disperse protesters outside the Georgia’s parliament in Tbilisi early on November 29, assaulting several people including journalists from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and other media outlets.
Military attachés of foreign states accredited to Azerbaijan visited the Main Ground Satellite Control Center of Azercosmos, the Space Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, subordinate to the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, Azernews reports, citing Azerbaijan`s Ministry of Defense.
