RIOT police have battled protesters in Georgia after the “pro-Putin” regime stalled the country’s bid to join the European Union.
Brutal clashes have erupted against the ruling Georgian Dream party, which has been accused of using Vladimir Putin to rig the election and secure it’s victory.
APProtesters clashed with police in Tiblisi, Georgia[/caption]
AFPRiot cops used a water cannon and pepper gas against crowds[/caption]
AFPProtesters shot fireworks at violent police in fierce clashes[/caption]
The streets of Georgia’s capital Tiblisi were filled with riot cops armed with a water cannon, tear gas, and pepper spray against pro-Western demonstrators.
Fiery pictures showed cops dragging people as they called officers “Russians” and “Slaves.”
Protesters also shot fireworks at police as cops who tried to violently disperse crowds.
The interior ministry said it arrested 43 people after last nights violence.
These riots were sparked when the country’s “pro-Putin” government put a pause on its long-standing bid to join the EU until 2028.
Georgia’s Prime Minister, and leader of the Georgian Dream party, Irakli Kobakhidze claimed victory in last month’s parliamentary elections.
The opposition claimed the parties 54% victory was the product of Russian interference.
Hours earlier the EU called for these elections to be re-run after they cited “significant irregularities.”
Prime Minister Kobakhidze accused the group of “blackmail” before he announced his controversial EU membership pause.
His party said: “We have decided not to put the issue of opening negotiations with the European Union on the agenda until the end of 2028.
“Also, we refuse any budgetary grant from the European Union until the end of 2028.”
He has been accused by the country’s president, a largely ceremonial role, Salome Zourabichvili, of being pro-Russia.
Zourabichvili urged Georgian’s to fight the government’s most recent decision.
The president said in a televised speech: “This country is returning to Russia, which we barely got rid of.”
What is happening in Georgia?
Fiery clashes between rioters and police broke out in Georgia’s capital, Tiblisi, last night but these protests have not been an uncommon sight in the torn country.
The country’s ruling Georgian Dream party has been accused of being pro-Putin, especially since October.
Huge protests erupted in October after the party won 54% of the parliamentary elections.
Georgian Dream was accused of using Russia to help fix the election and win.
The latest unrest in the country came after the European Union called on Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze to re-hold the vote.
Kobakhidze reacted by suspending Georgia’s long-standing bid to join the EU until 2028.
He was accused by the country’s president, a largely ceremonial role, Salome Zourabichvili of being pro-Kremlin.
She said: “This country is returning to Russia, which we barely got rid of.”
Georgia is an ex-Soviet state and became independent in 1991.
She later joined protesters and said “a resistance has begun, and it will not end until new elections are called.”
Pro-Putin claims against the Georgian Dream party also increased after their nomination to replace Zourabichvili with an anti-Western president, when her term ends in December, were announced.
Protesters last night waved EU flags in front of police and outside parliament.
Despite this, Georgian Dream said it is not pro-Russian and it is committed to democracy and integration with the West.
GettyA protester waving an EU flag outside of Georgia’s parliament[/caption]
APProtesters with a Georgian national flag pour into the streets[/caption]
AFPRiots sparked after the country’s Prime Minister announced he would suspend its long-standing bid to join the EU to 2028[/caption]
A Kremlin spokesperson denied Russian interference in the election and claimed Zourabichvili was “attempting to destabilise the situation,” according to VOA.
Russia has also been accused of meddling in Romania’s recent shock election result.
Pro-Moscow independent candidate Călin Georgescu unexpectedly won the first round of the election.
The Kremlin has denied accusations of elections interference.
APProtesters poured into the capital’s streets[/caption]
ReutersA supporter of Georgia’s opposition holds a European Union flag while attending protests last night[/caption]
EPAPolice used tear gas to try and disperse crowds[/caption]