Turbulent Tbilisi: EU Accession Halt Sparks Pro-European Protests

In Tbilisi, police clashed with thousands of protesters opposing the freeze on EU accession talks, a move by the ruling Georgian Dream party. Demonstrators erected barricades and clashed with police, demanding continued progress toward EU membership, seen by many as a constitutional aim for the country.

Police dispersed pro-European protesters with water cannon, tear gas, and pepper spray in Tbilisi after the ruling Georgian Dream party suspended EU accession talks until 2028.

The protesters, angered by the geopolitical shift on EU membership enshrined in Georgia's constitution, clashed with police near the parliament building.

Despite being forced back by authorities, demonstrators maintained their ground, lighting fires and showing defiance as political tension simmered in the aftermath of the halted talks.

(With inputs from agencies.)