Source: Al Jazeera [Qatari state media]
“Georgian police have arrested prominent opposition leader Zurab Japaridze after using water cannon and tear gas to disperse tens of thousands of antigovernment protesters who refused to back down over the government delaying talks on joining the European Union. Japaridze’s arrest on Monday comes as Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze accused the opposition of ‘coordinated violence’ aimed at overthrowing the constitutional order. … The ongoing protests in Georgia were prompted by the government’s announcement last week that it was suspending talks on joining the EU. Critics saw that as confirmation of a Russian-influenced shift away from pro-Western policies, something the ruling party denies.” (12/02/24)