3 Days Of Demonstration Against Georgia's Suspension Of Entering The European Union, 44 People Rushed To Hospital

JAKARTA - A total of 44 people were rushed to hospital (RS) during a protest against the suspension of Georgia from entering the European Union (EU) which had entered its third day on Sunday, December 1 local time.

Citing AP, Monday 2 December, tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered outside the Georgia Parliament building on Saturday 30 November night.

The crowd threw stones and lit fireworks, while the police responded by firing water cannons and tear gas.

The crowd also burned the statue of the founder of the government-ruled Georgia Dreamland Party, Bidzina Ivanishvili, a billionaire who earned his fortune in Russia.

Georgia's Ministry of Home Affairs explained 44 people being treated at the hospital consisted of 27 demonstrators, 16 police officers and one media worker.

Georgian Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze warned the protesters while still complying with the rules or threats of law would await.

"Every violation of the law will be dealt with with with a very strict law," Kobakhidze said in a statement on Sunday, December 1.

"Politicals hiding in their offices and sacrificing members of their violent groups for severe punishments will also not be separated from responsibility," he continued.

Kobakhidze also denied the issue that Georgia had stopped its negotiations entering the European Union.

"The only thing we reject is embarrassing and offensive extortion, which is actually a significant obstacle to the integration of our country in Europe," Kobakhidze said.

Earlier, European Union Head of Foreign Policy Kaja Kalla Marta Kos released a joint statement on Sunday regarding the Georgia government's decision to suspend negotiations to enter the European Union.

"We note that this announcement marks changes to the policies of all previous Georgian governments and the European aspirations of most Georgians, as stated in the Georgia Constitution," the EU said in a statement.

The statement also reiterated "the European Union's serious concerns about the country's persistent democratic decline" and urged Georgia authorities to "respect the right to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression, and refrain from the use of violence against peaceful protesters, politicians, and media representatives."

Georgia Election Accused Of Cheating

The Victory of the Dream Party in the 2024 Georgia elections on October 26 was seen as a referendum to Georgia's aspiration to join the European Union. The issue sparked major demonstrations and led to a parliamentary boycott by opposition parties.

Opposition says that the vote was rigged with the help of Russia through the former ruler of the Georgian empire, so that the Georgia government remains in its orbit.

Speaking to AP on Saturday last week, pro-West Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili said Georgia was becoming a "customed-Russian" country and the Georgia Dream Party controlled key institutions.

"We are not demanding a revolution. We ask for a re-election vote, but under conditions that will ensure that the people's wishes will not be misinterpreted or stolen again," said Zourabichvili.

Georgia won the status of a candidate to become a European Union country in December 2023 on the condition that it fulfills the recommendations of the union.

However, Georgia set a policy of delaying access to it and cutting financial support earlier this year to the European Union after the enactment of a "foreign influence" law that was touted as a blow to democratic freedom.