Georgian security forces have detained over a hundred protesters in Tbilisi.

Special forces dispersed a massive rally outside the Georgian parliament building over the course of seven hours, facing clashes along the way.

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On the night of November 30, employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia detained 107 demonstrators during the dispersal of a protest in Tbilisi. The protesters are accused of disobeying police orders and minor hooliganism. This information was reported by the radio station “Echo of the Caucasus” and the news agency News Georgia citing the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs on Saturday, November 30.

The ministry stated that “the action went beyond peaceful gatherings and took on an unlawful character.” According to law enforcement, 10 employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs were injured during the protest. One police officer is hospitalized with burns of varying degrees.

“Despite numerous appeals, those present damaged the infrastructure of the Tbilisi City Hall and private citizens near the legislative body, set fire to various objects and electrical wiring, erected barricades, and damaged the entrance gates of parliament and surveillance cameras,” the statement reads.

The ministry did not report any injuries among the demonstrators or journalists due to the actions of law enforcement. Nevertheless, media outlets recorded numerous instances of protesters being beaten, with some requiring medical assistance. Law enforcement used water cannons, gas capsules, tear gas canisters, and other special measures.

Warning, the video contains sensitive content!

According to “Echo of the Caucasus,” the dispersal of the rally on Shota Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi lasted nearly 7 hours. In the morning of November 30, protesters continued to light fires and build barricades using improvised materials on Rustaveli Avenue.

As reported by ZAXID.NET, large-scale protests began in Georgia on the evening of November 28 after the government refused to negotiate for EU membership initiatives. Additionally, the head of the Georgian government, Irakli Kobakhidze, announced that the country is rejecting “any” budget grants from the EU.

During the previous protest on the night of November 29, 43 people were detained in Tbilisi. There are also reports of several detained demonstrators in Batumi. Journalists note that many protesters may still be detained by law enforcement after the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs identifies them from photos and videos. The President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, described the scale of pro-European protests in the country as unprecedented and urged the police “not to raise a hand” against the demonstrators.