TBILISI -- Police in Tbilisi have detained 12 protesters, including the leader of opposition New Georgia party, Giorgi Vashadze, after they tried to block the entrance to the parliament building.
The Interior Ministry said on December 12 that the protesters were detained for minor hooliganism and refusing to obey police orders.
Those detained were among dozens of activists who tried to block the legislature’s entrance to protest against the election of 19 candidates to the Supreme Court.
The protesters say the candidates are "rubber-stamp judges" controlled by the authorities.
For several weeks Tbilisi has been the scene of protests calling for reforms to the country’s electoral system, which opposition parties say unfairly favors the ruling Georgian Dream party.
The United States and the European Union have called on the government, political parties, and civil society to engage in a "calm and respectful dialogue."
Police In Tbilisi Detain 12 Protesters, Including Opposition Leader
Editors' Picks
Top Trending
1
In Russia's War Economy, The Warning Lights Are Blinking
2Putin Says Russia Fired New Intermediate Missile At Ukraine After ICBM Accusations
3RFE/RL Reveals Chilling New Details Of Bucha Massacre As Ukraine Marks 1,000 Days Of War
4Steps Too Far As Moscow, Washington Cross 'Red Lines' Over Ukraine?
5Dutch Deliver Final 2 F-16 Jets, As Germany, U.S. Set New Ukraine Aid Packages
6Ukraine Live Briefing: Russia To Continue Testing Ballistic Missiles
7The Far-Right Firebrand Too Dangerous To Run For Romania's Presidency
8Wider Europe Briefing: Georgia's Vanishing EU Dreams
9Report: Senior North Korean General Wounded In Russia
10Danish Military Keeps Watch On Chinese Ship Suspected Of Baltic Cable Sabotage
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.
