Police violently dispersed a protest in Georgia, resulting in the arrest of one opposition leader.

The fourth day of anti-government protests in Georgia ended with a new dispersal and arrests. In Tbilisi, one of the leaders of the opposition coalition "For Change," Zurab Gurchi Dzhaparidze, was detained. This was reported by "News of Georgia" , local media, and Telegram channels.

The resistance in Tbilisi continued throughout the night. In the morning, at the main protest site – the square in front of Parliament on Rustaveli Avenue – barricades were burning, writes Tbilisi life.

By 7:00 AM, police and special forces cleared the avenue. The remaining protesters dispersed into the city, and the police began pursuing them. Demonstrators were detained even in courtyards, alleys, and entrances. Those simply walking to work also fell victim to the law enforcement officers, reports "News of Georgia."

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia reported that only in the last few days of the protest, 224 individuals were detained. They are accused of petty hooliganism, resistance, and disobedience to law enforcement. The Ministry claims that 21 police officers were injured last night, with a total of 113 of its employees injured during the recent actions.

"Within a few hours, aggressive groups of protesters attacked police officers. They engaged in verbal and physical confrontations with law enforcement; throwing stones, pyrotechnics, hot objects, glass bottles, and metal objects at the police," the statement reads.

The Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, thanked the Ministry of Internal Affairs during a government meeting, stating that the police acted better than during similar events in the USA and Europe, writes Sova.

The President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, who supports the protests, emphasized on December 2 on social media about the steadfastness of the participants in the rally.

"Another night full of strength, when Georgians stood unwaveringly to defend their Constitution and their European choice. The determination visible on the streets indicates that it will not cease!" the head of state wrote.

Recall that protests against the freezing of Georgia's Euro-integration have been ongoing since November 28. People took to the streets after the country’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated that Georgia would abandon negotiations for EU membership until 2028.

Background. Previously, Mind reported on clashes between police and protesters in Tbilisi, where 107 people were detained.