Protests Erupt in Tbilisi Over Controversial Election Results

Protests in Georgia's capital, Tbilisi, escalated as police dismantled a tent camp set up by demonstrators opposing the results of the recent parliamentary election. The ruling Georgian Dream party's victory is contested, with claims of election rigging. The EU has suspended Georgia's membership application amid rising tensions.

In a dramatic turn of events, police in Tbilisi, Georgia, acted on Tuesday to disperse a tent camp erected by protesters. The demonstrators have been contesting last month's parliamentary election results, demanding a rerun of the vote.

The election maintained the power of the Georgian Dream party, but opposition figures claim the outcome was rigged. The situation has ignited debates over Georgia's aspirations to join the European Union, with multiple protests erupting since the vote. Onlookers at the scene witnessed several scuffles, as authorities detained a number of demonstrators.

President Salome Zourabichvili, who has taken a stand against the election results, announced plans to challenge the outcome in the Constitutional Court, citing potential breaches in voting principles. Meanwhile, skepticism towards Georgian Dream grows, amid accusations of fostering authoritarianism and aligning with Moscow-style governance.

(With inputs from agencies.)