Political Tensions in Georgia, Protests Over EU Membership, Opposition Leaders Arrested

 Political Tensions in Georgia, Protests Over EU Membership, Opposition Leaders Arrested

Tbilisi: Georgian police arrested several opposition leaders on Sunday as thousands of protesters blocked a major highway on the outskirts of the capital, Tbilisi, demanding new parliamentary elections. According to police sources, three protesters, including Nika Melia, the leader of the country's largest opposition party "Coalition for Change," were arrested. However, Melia was later released on bail for administrative offenses.

After his arrest, Melia told reporters, "I was sitting in a chair with handcuffs at the police station when a police officer kicked me."

Meanwhile, former Tbilisi mayor Giorgi Ugulava was also reported to have been arrested by local media.

The protests began after the controversial parliamentary elections held in October 2023, where opposition parties claimed electoral fraud. Following this, the government announced the suspension of EU membership talks until 2028.

Since November, daily protests have been taking place in Georgia, where opposition parties have accused the government of curbing their voting rights and halting their dream of joining the European Union.

On Sunday, thousands of people gathered in front of a shopping complex north of Tbilisi and temporarily blocked the road leading out of the city. The police had taken extensive security measures against the protesters. A police warning stated that blocking the highway was a criminal act.

In an undated video footage circulating on social media, police were seen attacking the protesters while wearing balaclavas, and injured protesters were being taken away in ambulances.

Additionally, one protester was found unconscious by the side of the road, though no further details about their condition were immediately available.