Seoul Gazette - Georgia police raid opposition offices as PM vows to curb protests

Tbilisi has been rocked by turmoil since the ruling Georgian Dream party claimed victory in an October 26 parliamentary election which opposition groups decried as rigged.

Tens of thousands have taken to the streets to protest against the alleged fraud, with Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's announcement last Thursday that Georgia would not hold EU membership talks until 2028 sparking uproar and a fresh wave of rallies.

Around 300 people have been detained and dozens, including protestors and police, injured in intense clashes outside the parliament building in central Tbilisi.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Kobakhidze vowed to crack down on what he called "radical" political forces responsible for organising the protests.

"It is clear to everyone that these violent actions are entirely coordinated by the radical opposition... No one will escape accountability, including the politicians hiding in their offices," he said.

Moments after, Georgian police beat and arrested the leader of the Akhali liberal opposition party, while conducting a raid on the offices of the Droa party, live TV showed.

- 'Trumped-up charges' -

Droa leader Elene Khoshtaria said on X: "They are now in our party office, searching. Likely hoping to find something to charge some of our members with trumped-up charges."

Police also raided offices of the Youth Organisation of the opposition United National Movement (UNM) party, one of the party leaders, Levan Khabeishvili, told journalists.

UNM in a statement accused the Georgian government of launching "all-out terror and repressions against opponents".

Over six consecutive nights of protest, demonstrators have hurled fireworks at riot police, who have deployed water cannon and tear gas and charged at protesters.

Thick grey fog from the tear gas canisters has blanketed Tbilisi's central Rustaveli Avenue, with several of the rallies lasting until dawn.

At least 15 people were admitted to hospital after the latest demonstrations on Tuesday night, authorities said Wednesday.

In the face of international condemnation of overuse of police force, Kobakhidze has refused to back down.

He said the state would take "all necessary measures" to quash the "revolution" being plotted by the pro-Western opposition.

Several demonstrators, including journalists, have been hospitalised after being brutally detained and, they allege, beaten in custody by the security forces.

- 'Torture' -

Fresh protests were scheduled for Wednesday evening.

Beforehand, pro-EU President Salome Zurabishvili accused Georgian Dream of closing "shops selling protective gas masks, protective goggles, and helmets, leaving peaceful protesters deprived of their elementary protection."

Some protesters have come to the rallies equipped with gas masks.

Critics have been enraged by what they say is the government's betrayal of Georgia's bid for EU membership, which is enshrined in its constitution and supported by around 80 percent of the population.

Several ambassadors and a deputy foreign minister resigned over Georgian Dream's decision to suspend EU accession talks for four years.

Kobakhidze -- who has ruled out talks with the opposition -- has vowed to punish his opponents and civil servants who join the protests.

Rights ombudsman Levan Ioseliani has accused the police of using "torture" against those detained at the rallies.

Most of the injuries sustained by detained protesters "are concentrated on the face, eyes, and head", he said in a statement.

- Pro-Russia slant -

Georgian Dream is seeking to remove pro-EU leader Zurabishvili from power before the end of the year.

The dramatic showdown is the latest in two tumultuous years in the Caucasus nation, which borders Russia to the north.

Critics accuse Georgian Dream of moving closer to Moscow, despite strong anti-Russian sentiment across Georgian society.

Since 2022, Georgian Dream has advanced Russia-style legislation targeting civil society and independent media outlets, as well as curbing LGBTQ rights.

Moscow has appeared to back Georgian Dream during the protests by saying the authorities were working to "stabilise" the situation.

But foreign ministry spokesman Maria Zakharova said Wednesday that Moscow was open to developing closer ties with Tbilisi.

M.Yoo--SG