Georgian police arrested a senior opposition leader early Monday after using water cannons and tear gas to disperse anti-government protestors who had gathered outside parliament for the fourth consecutive night. The protests were spurred by the government’s declaration last week that it would postpone discussions to join the European Union. Critics interpreted this as indication of a Russian-influenced move away from pro-Western policy, which the ruling party rejects. In a post on X, the Coalition for Change, the country’s main opposition party, stated that one of its leaders, Zurab Japaridze, was arrested by police while leaving the demonstration. Masked cops placed Japaridze in an unmarked vehicle, as shown on video. It was unclear whether he will be charged with any wrongdoing.

The US and the EU have expressed concern about what they regard as Georgia’s democratic backsliding, a country of 3.7 million people located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia that was once part of the Soviet Union. Russia denies interfering with its neighbour, but former President Dmitry Medvedev warned on Sunday that Georgia was “moving rapidly along the Ukrainian path, into the dark abyss,” adding, “Usually this sort of thing ends very badly.” On Sunday night, protesters gathered again on Tbilisi’s central Rustaveli Avenue. Some threw fireworks toward police, who replied with water cannons and tear gas. “I’m here for a very simple reason, to defend my European future and the democracy of my country,” she said.

Injury toll rises. Georgia’s interior ministry reported 21 police officers were injured during the overnight demonstration, bringing the total number of injuries to 113 since the unrest began. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze accused the opposition of “coordinated violence” intended to disrupt the constitutional order. Dozens of demonstrators have been hurt since the new demonstrations began, and the US has denounced what it calls excessive police use. President Salome Zourabichvili, a pro-EU official who supports the protestors, stated that many of those jailed had received head and face injuries as a result of beatings. “This is the revolt of an entire country,” she told French news agency France Inter. Hundreds of ambassadors and public personnel have written open letters opposing the suspension.

Topuria, a martial arts fighter with a large following in the country, posted on Instagram, “I am opposed to the decision to terminate our accession negotiations with the European Union.” I’m ashamed to see how Georgia’s youngsters are handled. This isn’t freedom.” Zourabichvili has urged the Constitutional Court to nullify elections won by the ruling party, Georgian Dream, in October. Both the opposition and Zourabichvili claim the poll was rigged. Zourabichvili, whose powers are primarily ceremonial, says she will not leave office when her term ends this month because the parliament that will select her successor is illegal. The election commission claims the voting was fair. Prime Minister Kobakhidze on Sunday said Zourabichvili was reacting emotionally to the opposition’s election defeat and would have to leave the presidential palace at the end of the month.

The election commission claims the voting was fair. Prime Minister Kobakhidze claimed on Sunday that Zourabichvili was distraught following the opposition’s election defeat and would have to leave the presidential palace at the end of the month. Tensions in Georgia have been rising for months, as the ruling party has approved laws restricting “foreign agents” and LGBT rights. Georgian Dream claims it is acting to protect the country’s sovereignty from foreign intervention and to prevent the West from dragging it into a war with Russia.