Opposition leader Gakharia denounces Gov’t crackdown on protesters, calls for international support

Opposition For Georgia party leader Giorgi Gakharia has strongly condemned what he described as a violent crackdown by the “illegitimate regime” of Bidzina Ivanishvili against peaceful demonstrators in Tbilisi. The protests erupted in response to the government’s decision to halt Georgia’s pursuit of European Union integration.

In a statement shared on social media, Gakharia accused the regime of targeting young protesters and independent journalists who were documenting what he called “disproportionate and unlawful violence” by the police. “Demonstrating brazen cynicism and brutality, the regime specifically targets those who stand for truth and the European future of Georgia,” Gakharia said.

The opposition leader urged the international community to act swiftly to support Georgia’s democratic aspirations and prevent the establishment of an autocratic regime. “We call on the international community to support the democracy and the European choice of the Georgian people and take all necessary actions to stop Ivanishvili’s regime,” he added.

The protests, which have spread across the country, reflect growing public frustration with the Georgian Dream government and its perceived departure from the European and democratic values.