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.
Saturday, November 30
01:20 – President: We are Witnessing Brutal Attacks on Georgian People and Media
Reacting to the continuing brutal attacks by the police on protesters and journalists, President Salome Zurabishvili wrote on her X account: “Once again, we witness brutal and disproportionate attacks on the Georgian people and media, reminiscent of Russian-style repression. These actions will not be forgiven! Those responsible for the use of force should be held responsible.”
00:30 – At Least Four People Arrested in Batumi
At least four persons have reportedly been arrested in Batumi, including one underage, where the rally is taking place near the Constitutional Court building in the central Batumi. The Rustaveli street is closed to traffic.
Friday, November 29
23:59 – President Zurabishvili Shares Video Address
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili shared her video address to the protesting Georgian society, emphasizing the importance of solidarity of public servants towards Georgia’s European future and noting that the resistance movement has started all over Georgia and won’t end. She also called upon the special forces not to raise their hands against the protesters.
23:54 – TV Pirveli Journalist Severly Injured at the Rally
TV Pirveli reports that its journalist Mariam Gaprindashvili was seriously injured during the rally and had to be hospitalized. Video footage shows that during the confrontation between protesters and police, Mariam tried to capture the moment when she was caught in the middle of the physical confrontation and fell to the ground, hitting her head.
23: 33 – MIA Has Used Water Cannons Against Demonstrators
MIA has used several times the water cannons against the protesters. The water is allegedly mixed with chemical irritants. The MIA Special Tasks Department (whose chief is notoriously famous and sanctioned by the U.S. Zviad Kharazishvili) representatives are stand ready to launch reprisals at any moment. The live footage shows them curse into the the sound amplifier at the protesters and threaten them.
20:00 – Rustaveli Avenue Closed for Traffic
The central Rustaveli Ave is blocked to traffic as more and more people arrive to protest the GD announcement to effectively reject EU integration. Security forces are already mobilized on the adjacent Freedom Square which is also closed to traffic.
19:50 – Rallies Continue around Georgia
Locals are gathering in various regions of Georgia. At the moment it is known that there are rallies in Batumi, near Era Square, parallel to the rally in Tbilisi. The demonstrators are condemning the actions of the GD.
19:40 – TSU Social and Political Sciences Professors Condemn GD’s Decision to Suspend EU Integration
The academic and invited professors of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at Tbilisi State University respond to recent developments in Georgia, condemning the statement made by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on November 28. They believe this statement violates the Constitution and disregards the will of the Georgian people. The suspension of the EU integration process, they argue, will irreparably harm Georgia’s higher education institutions, joint international programs, and projects, leading to the isolation of Georgia’s academic space from the Western world, which would have devastating consequences for both the educational system and society at large. They also strongly condemn the violent suppression of peaceful civil protests since the evening of November 28. They call on the administration of Tbilisi State University to publicly express its stance on these issues and clarify how the university intends to defend Georgia’s integration with the West.
19:25 – Citizens Gather Near Rustaveli Avenue for Another Protest
Widespread protests against the GD’s decision to abort EU accession continue into the second day as citizens gather near the Parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue, which has already been blocked. Police are heavily mobilized on the scene.
19:10 – Newton Free School Temporarily Shuts Down
Newton Free School, a private school in Georgia, will temporarily close on 2 December. “Our primary value is the freedom and future of our students, which is why we are joining all the right protest initiatives,” is noted in a Facebook post.
19:05 – Two Georgian Universities Respond to GD’s Decision to Halt EU Accession
The administrations of the Free University and the Agrarian University, two private universities in Georgia, comment on the recent decision by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze to suspend the EU accession process until 2028, stressing that the suspension of EU integration will significantly damage the country’s future. “Georgia’s aspiration to Western civilization and values is based on the will of the people and is guaranteed by the Constitution of Georgia,” the management of the two universities said.
19:00 – Journalists March in Protest and Solidarity with Injured Colleagues
Local journalists marched from Republic Square to Parliament in protest and solidarity with their colleagues injured during last night’s dispersal. At least 20 cases of police brutality against journalists while carrying out their professional duties were reported during the early November 29 protest near Parliament.
- 29/11/2024 – Watchdog: Police Target Journalists, Many Injured
18:50 – Helsinki Commission: Georgians Refuse to Become Russian Colony
The U.S. Helsinki Commission reacted in a social media post to the ongoing events in Georgia, saying, “The Georgian people have taken to the streets to peacefully protest for their sovereignty, democracy, and European future, only to be met with violence and repression. They refuse to become a Russian colony. Stand with the Georgian people!”
18:35 – Deputy Interior Ministry Calls on Citizens to Protest Peacefully
As another large protest begins, Deputy Interior Minister Aleksandre Darakhvelidze held a briefing urging citizens to “refrain from carrying any object or substance that poses a risk to the peaceful nature of the assembly” and to “stay within the legal limits of assembly and manifestation.” Darakhvelidze accused peaceful demonstrators of violent attacks on police last night and said, “The employees of the relevant departments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs will also be mobilized today for the planned rally and will protect public order.”
18:30- SSDA’s Joint Statement on GD’s EU-Turn
112 employees of the State Services Development Agency (SSDA) issued a joint statement stressing their commitment to Article 78 of the Georgian Constitution and obligations under international agreements. The employees support Georgia’s EU aspirations and believe that the GD’s decision to suspend EU accession until 2028 will significantly damage the country’s interests. They are committed to contributing to a prosperous future for Georgia by supporting its EU membership aspirations and ensuring the continued implementation of European practices in their work.
18:00 – MEPs Statement on GD’s EU-Turn
The Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, David McAllister, alongside Nils Ušakovs, Chair of the EU-Georgia Parliamentary Association Committee, and Rasa Juknevičienė, the European Parliament’s standing rapporteur for Georgia, issued a statement expressing regret over the Georgian government’s decision to pause EU accession negotiations. They emphasized that Georgia’s application for EU membership in March 2022 and its subsequent candidate status in December 2023 were significant milestones, which should have been used to advance the process. Instead, the country has seen democratic backsliding, including parliamentary elections that failed to meet international standards, undermining the election’s integrity. The statement also condemned the violence against peaceful pro-European protesters and reaffirmed support for Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations and the pro-democratic movements working to return the country to a European path.
17:00 – Another University Temporarily Shut Down
Business and technology university, another private university, have temporarily shut down. “We share the position expressed by students and our academic and administrative team regarding the European integration process”- noted the university.
15:55 – Sandu: Moldova Condemns Police Violence Against Peaceful Demonstrators
Moldova’s President Maia Sandu reacts to the ongoing events in Georgia in a social media post, saying, “Georgians are Europeans. Georgia’s future lies in Europe, and no one can take that away from them. Moldova condemns violence against peaceful demonstrators and stands in solidarity with President Salome Zurabishvili and the Georgian people in their fight for freedom.”
15:50 – Rallies Continue around Georgia
Locals are gathering in various regions of Georgia. At the moment it is known that there are rallies in Zugdidi and Kutaisi. Civil activists and the citizens of Georgia are protesting GD’s decision and violence against peaceful demonstrator by the police forces.
15:10 – Another Universities Temporarily Shut Down
Sulkhan Saba Orbeliani University and Alterbridge University, two other private universities in Tbilisi, have temporarily shut down.
“Alterbridge has been, is, and will continue to be a supporter of Georgia’s European development, the university said on Facebook.
15:05 – Students March against GD’s EU-turn
Students protest against Irakli Kobakhidze’s decision to halt Georgia’s EU accession process, calling it a “Russian regime”. The students are marching in protest from Tbilisi State University to Parliament. “We are doing our best to move Georgia forward,” said one of the demonstrators.
15:00 – International Reactions to GD Halting Georgia’s EU Accession
The decision by GD leadership to halt EU accession sparked a range of international reactions, with many reaffirming support for the Georgian people’s European aspirations and highlighted the need for the government to repeal recent restrictive laws. Their comments follow:
- Michael Roth, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of German Bundestag: “It’s happening exactly as we feared: isolation instead of Europe. Oppression instead of freedom. Authoritarianism instead of democracy. The ruling party is destroying Georgia’s future in the very heart of Europe.”
- Maria M Stenergard, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden: “Seriously concerned about the Georgian Dream’s statement that it will pause Georgia’s EU accession and refuse EU grants until 2028. This adds to a worrying development including restrictive laws adopted earlier this year and widespread irregularities reported in connection with Georgia’s parliamentary elections.”
- Gitanas Nauseda, President of Lithuania: “Lithuania stands firmly with the people of Georgia and their European dream!”
- Marko Mihkelson, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Estonian Parliament: “The freedom-loving people of Georgia showed last night in Tbilisi and several other cities that they are not willing to surrender their country to Russia and a self-proclaimed dictatorial regime.”
- Žygimantas Pavilionis, Chair of European Affairs Committee of Lithuania’s Parliament: “Georgian people, this is your last stand. If you defend your freedom and European choice today, you will save your tomorrow within transatlantic West. If you are afraid to fight today, it will be the end of independent Georgia tomorrow and the beginning of very russian past.”
14:00 – Kobakhidze Accuses EU Ambassador of “Disinformation,” Warns of Future “Diplomatic Response”
Irakli Kobakhidze held a briefing, insisting that the GD remains committed to the EU integration path, accusing the EU ambassador of “disinformation” and threatening a “diplomatic response.”
He claimed accession talks are only a “formal” step that does not accelerate a country’s integration into the EU. He said that this issue of the opening of accession talks was being used as an instrument of blackmail and that the GD rejected it in order to “neutralize” it.
He further claimed that the “radical opposition” and its affiliated NGOs and media are spreading disinformation as if the GD government has stopped the EU integration process, and that the EU ambassador is also “involved” in this disinformation campaign. He warned that if the EU ambassador or any other ambassador does not change their “behavior”, they will be met with a “diplomatic response.”
In addition, Kobakhidze said that last night’s protest was “radical” and that “the violent gangs of the radical opposition physically and verbally attacked the law enforcement agencies. He thanked the MIA and its officers.
12:25 – Georgia’s Ambassador to Bulgaria Resigns
Otar Berdzenishvili, Georgia’s ambassador to Bulgaria, resigns over GD’s EU-turn. “Throughout my extensive diplomatic service (more than two decades), I’ve been actively engaged with my fellow colleagues in advancing Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration process…Our tireless efforts should not be undermined or compromised by any means,” Berdzenishvili wrote on X.
12:00 – Two Universities Temporarily Shut Down
Caucasus University and the University of Georgia, both private universities in Tbilisi, have temporarily shut down.
“Due to the current situation in the country, we are suspending classes. We believe that today the first duty of all is to return Georgia to the path of European future,” the University of Georgia’s statement says.
10:30 – EU Ambassador: GD’s Decision “Very Regrettable”
Paweł Herczyński, EU Ambassador to Georgia, said GD’s decision to abort the country’s EU bid was “very regrettable,” “very deplorable,” and “heartbreaking.” “I think that all of us have worken up in a completely new reality,” he told journalists. Amb. Herczyński reiterated that Georgia is responsible for deciding whether or not to pursue the European integration path.
09:35 – MIA: 43 Arrested
The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) issued a statement saying 43 people have been arrested during the protest under administrati ce 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. Another Coalition member Vakho Tsereteli, was beaten and received hear injuries.
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.
Thursday, November 28
23:55 – Diplomats’ Joint Statement: Stopping EU Accession Negotiations Contradicts Country’s Strategic Interests
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.
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 arrested Misha 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.
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.