Georgian courts lock up opposition figures as EU-related protests heat up
Georgian authorities detained two well-known opposition leaders during pro-EU demonstrations this week. Eight more activists face serious charges‚ while protests against frozen EU talks continue
In a fast-moving crackdown this december‚ Georgian courts ordered the detention of two pro-european opposition leaders amid growing street protests. The ruling came as demonstrators showed their anger about the governments decision to pause EU membership talks
Nika Gvaramia who leads the Coalition for Change got a 12-day jail term for what officials called petty-hooliganism; his party members say police used rough tactics during his arrest on wed. In a separate case Aleko Elisashvili from Strong Georgia party faces two-months behind bars (he denies claims that he attacked someone from the ruling Georgian Dream party)
The ruling Georgian Dream party sees these demonstrations as attempts to start trouble: theyʼre calling it a try at revolution. Local news sources say Elisashvili ended up in hospital after his arrest – but noone could check if he really got hurt. Meanwhile eight more protest-people got charged with gang-related stuff; these charges might lead to nine-year sentences
- Georgian Dream thinks protests are revolutionary moves
- Opposition says police used too much force
- EU membership talks remain frozen
- More charges could follow for other activists
The whole thing shows how tense things are getting between pro-EU groups and the government – its clear this wont be over anytime soon
