Zurab Japaridze, Opposition Leader Arrested This Morning, Released

“We had blocked the road, and they arrested several people, taking us to Ortachala. I think the Central Department of the Criminal Police is located there, and I spent about four hours there. In the end, they drew up a report for an administrative offense, accusing me of illegally blocking the road or something like that,” Japaridze said after his release, noting that no violence was used against him during his arrest.

At dawn, after the rally on Rustaveli Avenue was dispersed, police forces continued to pursue and detain citizens who had marched towards Chavchavadze Avenue. Zurab Japaridze was also part of this march. As he explained, he was on Tamarashvili Street when he was arrested.

Protests in Tbilisi began on November 28, after Georgia’s illegitimate Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, announced that Georgia would not put the issue of opening accession negotiations on the agenda until the end of 2028 and would refuse EU budget grants. Protesters accuse the government of stalling European integration and demand parliamentary elections.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs repeatedly used water cannons, tear gas, and other special means to disperse the demonstrators. Special forces physically assaulted protesters and media representatives who were performing their professional duties.

A total of 227 people have been arrested over the past four days. Three of them are charged with assaulting police officers and damaging property by setting fires. 224 people are detained under administrative law on the grounds of petty hooliganism and resisting or disobeying the police.