Thousands rally in Georgia’s 12th day of pro-EU protests

For the 12th consecutive day of protests, thousands of people across Georgia took to the streets to protest the government’s decision to postpone disputed election-related talks with the European Union.

Protesters gathered outside parliament in the Caucasian nation’s capital, Tbilisi, on Monday, demanding a new election and a return to European integration as the political unrest continued to permeate the Caucasian nation.

A wave of protests erupted as a result of Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s shock decision on November 28 to forbid Tbilisi from joining the EU, which was met with harsh police action.

Since the start of the second wave of unrest, police have detained more than 400 people and used tear gas and water cannon to disperse previous demonstrations.

In response to growing international condemnation, the crackdown has sparked outrage at home.

Some demonstrators blew horns and whistles loudly on Monday, while others held banners that read “Less Russia is more freedom.”

The city finished installing a giant Christmas tree on the pavement outside parliament during the day, removing photos of people who had been allegedly being beaten by police and protesters from the metal framework of the tree.

Source: Aljazeera