15 Russian citizens arrested during Tbilisi’s pro-European protests

Fifteen Russian citizens were detained by Georgian police amid pro-European protests that began on November 28, the Russian Interests Section at the Swiss Embassy reported on Tuesday.

As of today, 13 of the detainees have been released, while two remain in administrative detention, with their sentences set to expire between Wednesday and Friday.

The protests were sparked by the Georgian Dream government’s decision to postpone discussions on opening EU membership negotiations until after 2028, a move that participants claim stalls Georgia’s European integration process.

Demonstrations have taken place in Tbilisi and other cities, resulting in the detention of around 400 individuals, mainly on charges of petty hooliganism and disobedience to police orders under the Code of Administrative Offenses.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze addressed the detention of Russian citizens, expressing concern about their involvement.

“This issue needs to be investigated with particular attention: what did the Russian perpetrators, such a group, want in Georgia, at whose behest they came, and what instructions did they give to the violent groups?”

Georgia severed diplomatic ties with Russia after the 2008 war, and the Russian Interests Section operates as an intermediary.

The domestic opposition and the civil sector claim the GD authorities are aligning with Russian interests and derailing the country from its European path.