Georgia's night of chaos: Mass arrests shake Tbilisi streets
Police detained over hundred pro-EU protesters in Georgiaʼs capital during night-time demonstrations. Citizens showed strong disapproval of governments decision to pause European Union membership talks
In a cold night of unrest in Tbilisi last winter police took into custody one-hundred-and-seven pro-European demonstrators (which made it the biggest mass-arrest in recent times). The un-expected crackdown happened when people showed their dis-agreement with the governmentʼs choice to stop EU membership talks
The two-night long stand-off between riot-police and protestors turned into a show-of-force — law enforcement used tear-gas and water-cannons to break-up crowds who wouldnʼt leave the city-center. The harsh response didnt stop thousands of citizens from joining the demonstrations
Recent polls show that most Georgians want their country to become an EU member: this goal is even written in the nations basic-law. The governmentʼs decision to freeze talks with Brussels made many people angry because it goes against what the public wants
The street protests show how much Georgian people care about joining the European family — something thats been a long-time dream for this small post-Soviet nation. Police actions during these demonstrations created more tension between the pro-EU citizens and current decision-makers
