Tbilisi was the epicentre of escalating protests across Georgia on December 2, as special forces clashed violently with demonstrators demanding the resignation of the Georgian Dream (GD) government. 

Accusations of electoral misconduct in the October parliamentary elections have fueled widespread discontent, with protesters calling for new elections and systemic reforms to address governance failures. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's announcement that Georgia will put its EU accession process on hold added to public anger against GD. 

On December 2, the unrest intensified around 8:30pm when riot police deployed water cannons to disperse crowds gathered near the Georgian parliament. Protesters chanted "Sakartvelo" (Georgia) and used laser pointers to disrupt security forces. By 10pm, special forces escalated their response by unleashing unprecedented amounts of tear gas to clear the main avenue. Although pushed back, thousands of protesters regrouped and continued to demonstrate into the early hours of December 3.

Inside the parliament building, special forces occupied rooms, spraying water from the windows to deter protesters. As the night progressed, the crackdown grew more severe. Small groups of special forces pursued and arrested demonstrators across Tbilisi, resorting to violent measures that drew sharp condemnation from human rights advocates.

Reports of police brutality

Eyewitnesses and medical reports detailed severe injuries among detained protesters, including fractured facial bones, head trauma and abdominal injuries. One individual suffered internal bleeding in their brain tissue. Dozens of protesters reported being beaten during arrests and while detained in police vehicles.

The Ministry of Health confirmed that 26 people were hospitalised, including 23 protesters and three law enforcement officers. Although none of the injuries were deemed life-threatening, the brutality has drawn accusations of excessive force and violations of human rights.

Former prime minister Giorgi Gakharia added fuel to the controversy by alleging that masked individuals among the riot police were not officially affiliated with the interior ministry. These "men in black”, he claimed, are part of an unofficial group acting with impunity.

Gakharia called on Bidzina Ivanishvili, the honorary chairman of the GD party, to identify these aggressors and provide transparency about the arrests and conditions of detained protesters. “The violence must stop, and those responsible must be held accountable,” he said.

Public outcry

The protests are fueled by growing public anger over systemic failures, including allegations of election fraud and inadequate healthcare. Demonstrators are demanding new elections, claiming the GD government has no legitimacy.

“There is no way for the government to get out of this crisis — they have deceived the public too many times. The only way forward is for them to go!” said one protester.

Among the grievances, many have cited the healthcare system’s neglect. One woman spoke of losing her 14-year-old daughter due to inadequate care for persons with disabilities (PWDs). “Unless this system changes, families like mine will continue living in despair with no state support,” she said, reflecting widespread frustration with the government’s inability to address social inequities.

Adding to the outrage, one of the protesters severely injured during the crackdown is a person with disabilities. Advocates have highlighted this incident as emblematic of the systemic failures in ensuring equal rights and protections for all citizens, further amplifying calls for accountability and change.

The current unrest has drawn comparisons to the November 7, 2007 protests against the then government, which were also met with violent suppression. "We are standing against injustice. Many of us were here in 2007, and we are here now when the government is unconstitutional and violent against its own citizens,” said one protester.

This parallel reflects a recurring cycle of political discontent in Georgia, where successive governments have faced accusations of authoritarianism, corruption and disregard for public demands.

Protests spread nationwide

The demonstrations in Tbilisi are part of a broader wave of protests across Georgia, including cities such as Batumi, Rustavi, Zugdidi and Khashuri. Teachers, students and activists have united to demand the government’s resignation and the resumption of EU accession talks. Schoolchildren have taken a prominent role, opposing what they see as the government’s shift toward Russia. “We don’t want to become Russia,” said banners held up by schoolchildren.

President Salome Zurabishvili has accused Russia of interfering in Georgia’s recent parliamentary elections, describing them as “skillfully stolen with the help of Russia”. 

Her remarks highlighted fears of increasing Russian influence in Georgian politics, a concern echoed by many protesters who view the GD government as complicit in undermining Georgia’s democratic aspirations.

In an interview with France Inter, Zurabishvili also alleged that special forces used amphetamines to sustain their energy during prolonged crackdowns.

She also stressed the scale of the protests. “This is a nationwide protest. I have never seen such a large-scale movement in Georgia’s cities,” Zurabishvili said, praising the resilience of the country’s youth.

International condemnation

The violent crackdown has drawn widespread international criticism. Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte described the events as "deeply concerning" and urged the Georgian government to uphold democratic values. “Actions that undermine democracy are unacceptable,” he said, emphasising that Georgia’s path to Euro-Atlantic integration depends on adhering to these principles.

UK Minister of State for Europe Stephen Doughty also condemned the violence, calling it a "serious breach" of the right to peaceful assembly. He warned that continued suppression of democratic freedoms would damage Georgia’s international reputation and relations with its allies.

Lithuania’s outgoing Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis announced on X on December 1 that Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia have agreed to impose national sanctions on Georgian officials accused of suppressing the pro-democracy protests. 

In the US, Republican congressman Joe Wilson voiced strong support for the protesters, describing the Georgian Dream government as illegitimate due to widespread electoral violations. “Those responsible for organising the suppression must be held accountable,” he said, advocating for international sanctions against individuals involved in the violence.

Wilson also dismissed claims that the US supports the current government, stating that democratic principles would always take precedence in US-Georgia relations.

A divided future

Within Georgia, the government's aggressive response to protests has further eroded public trust, while demands for systemic change continue to grow louder.

As demonstrators refuse to back down, the GD government faces mounting pressure from both domestic and international actors. With no signs of de-escalation, the path forward remains uncertain. Protests continue across the country, fueled by a collective call for justice, transparency and a government that represents the will of the people.