Georgian police have arrested two government opposition leaders during street protests against the ruling administration.
European Union leaders condemned the Georgian authorities’ action on February 2 for their “brutal repression”.
Pro-European Liberal party leader Akhali Nika Melia and former Tbilisi mayor Gigi Ugulava were arrested in the Georgian capital Tbilisi, AFP reported.
Together with thousands of other demonstrators, they were reportedly trying to block traffic on a motorway in the north of the city.
🙏 🇬🇪 Protests continue in Georgia. During demonstrations, Nika Melia, leader of the pro-European party Akhali, was detained. Protesters try to block major transport routes in Tbilisi, many are brutally detained by security forces.
pic.twitter.com/GAU7jo8Z4k— Claretta Nijhuis (@NijhuisClaretta) February 2, 2025
In a reaction on X, the European Commission’s foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said: “The brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters, journalists and politicians tonight in Tbilisi is unacceptable.”
“Georgia falls short of any expectation from a candidate country. The EU stands with the people of Georgia in their fight for freedom and democracy.”
Since the Georgian parliamentary elections in October, the former Soviet Republic has been in upheaval.
Georgian Dream, the ruling party, won the ballot but there were soon widely aired suspicions of fraud.
International observers had stated the elections were well-administered and well-organised but few called them free and fair.
Europe Elects, a Germany-based international election watchdog and data analyst, said it found clear signs of fraud in the results.
In addition, Georgian Dream suspended European Union accession talks until 2028 as relationships soured with the bloc.
That sparked widespread domestic public anger and accusations by the opposition that the government was aligning the country with Russia.
Opposition leader Nika Melia of Ahali party is seen dragged away by the Police. Melia has reportedly been arrested. pic.twitter.com/aTZix5ptrz
— Formula NEWS | English (@FormulaGe) February 2, 2025
