BBC Gossip
  • Home
  • Health
  • News
  • Crime
  • Local News
  • People
  • Guest Post
BBC Gossip
BBC Gossip
  • Home
  • News
  • Health
  • People
  • Celebrities
  • Crime
  • Entertainment
  • Finance
  • Guest Post
Home Georgian reporters claim they were violently attacked amid protests over halting EU negotiations
  • Local News

Georgian reporters claim they were violently attacked amid protests over halting EU negotiations

    Georgian journalists allege brutal beatings as protests rage against ending EU talks
    Up next
    5 Dead, Including 2 Children, In Georgia Murder-Suicide
    Tragic Incident in Georgia Leaves 5 Dead, Including 2 Children
    Published on 08 December 2024
    Author
    BBC Gossip

    TBILISI – Thousands of people gathered for the 11th consecutive day of protests in Georgia on Sunday. The protests came after the ruling party decided to halt talks about joining the European Union. Another protest highlighted the violence against journalists covering the demonstrations in Georgia.

    Police have been using more force to control the protests near the parliament building in Tbilisi. Riot police have employed water cannons and tear gas regularly to break up the protests. Demonstrators have clashed with police, throwing fireworks and setting up barricades on the main street in the Georgian capital.

    During a protest on Saturday night, Maka Chikhladze, a journalist from the independent Pirveli TV channel, and her colleague were attacked by a violent group, Chikhladze recounted to The Associated Press.

    Chikladze said her colleague managed to capture footage of men dressed in black who were beating demonstrators before they turned on the pair, violently pushing Chikhladze to the ground. She later told AP that her colleague sustained a head injury and had his camera stolen.

    Chikhladze charged that Georgia’s government was using bands of thugs to deter people from attending anti-government rallies, an allegation denied by representatives of the Georgian Dream party.

    On Sunday, several hundred media workers marched down Tbilisi’s central Rustaveli Avenue before putting up posters of colleagues they say had been assaulted while doing their jobs.

    “Our colleagues are beaten, injured, some remain in hospital in serious condition,” TV Pirveli anchor Ekaterine Mishveladze told AP.

    In a separate incident Saturday, AP journalists saw several masked men violently tackle a protester attempting to enter the offices of an opposition party, Ahali. The man, Koba Khabazi, lay slumped on the ground while his attackers repeatedly kicked him. He later showed AP his head injuries.

    Georgian Dream retained control of parliament in the disputed Oct. 26 election, a vote widely seen as a referendum on Georgia’s EU aspirations. The opposition and the pro-Western president, Salome Zourabichvili, have accused the governing party of rigging the vote with neighboring Russia’s help and have boycotted parliament sessions.

    Opposition protests gained new momentum after the Georgian Dream’s decision last Thursday to put the EU accession talks on hold.

    Riot police have used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the rallies and beat scores of protesters, who threw fireworks at police officers and built barricades on Rustaveli Avenue.

    The crackdown has drawn strong condemnation from the United States and EU officials. Speaking Thursday at a ministerial conference of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken denounced what he described as the brutal “repression of those calling for their country to stay on the path to closer ties with Europe.”

    Mamuka Mdinanradze, leader of the Georgian Dream party, condemned mob violence against protesters during a news briefing Sunday, and denied any connection with the government.

    The office of Georgia’s rights ombudsman on Sunday issued a statement criticizing Georgian police for “failing to take adequate measures” to ensure safety during the demonstrations.

    President Zourabichvili, who plays a largely ceremonial role, refused to recognize the official election results and contested them before the Constitutional Court, which rejected her appeal earlier this week.

    The EU granted Georgia candidate status in December 2023 on condition that the country meets the bloc’s recommendations, but put its accession on hold and cut financial support in June after the passage of a “foreign influence” law that was widely seen as a blow to democratic freedoms.

    The law requires organizations that receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as “pursuing the interest of a foreign power,” similar to a Russian law used to discredit organizations critical of the government.

    Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

    You May Also Like
    Asian shares slide and US futures and dollar drop after Wall Street's winning week
    • Local News

    Asian shares, US futures, and the dollar fall following Wall Street’s positive week

    HONG KONG: Asian shares declined on Monday, accompanied by weakening U.S. futures…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 19, 2025
    Police continue crackdown on unpermitted drivers at Orlando International Airport
    • Local News

    Authorities intensify enforcement against unauthorized drivers at Orlando International Airport

    ORLANDO, Fla. – Authorities are implementing stricter measures against illegal vehicle-for-hire drivers…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 19, 2025
    3News' Dave Chudowsky shares his journey with prostate cancer
    • Local News

    Dave Chudowsky from 3News talks about his experience with prostate cancer

    The GO! morning anchor wants to create more awareness about early detection.…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 19, 2025
    Joe Biden's cancer diagnosis explained
    • Local News

    Understanding Joe Biden’s cancer diagnosis

    The announcement that the former president has an “aggressive form” of prostate…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 19, 2025
    Scottie Scheffler wins the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow
    • Local News

    Scottie Scheffler emerges victorious at the PGA Championship held at Quail Hollow

    Scottie Scheffler wins the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow for his third…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 19, 2025
    Two people killed, juvenile missing after multiple people struck by train in Fremont
    • Local News

    “Tragic Train Incident in Fremont Claims Two Lives with Juvenile Missing”

    The Miles Newton bridge has been closed after what police are describing…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 19, 2025
    Things to know about Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis
    • Local News

    Key information about Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis

    Former President Joe Biden’s office announced on Sunday that he is currently…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 19, 2025
    New Jersey Transit train engineers reach tentative deal to end strike that halted NYC routes
    • Local News

    Tentative agreement reached by New Jersey Transit train engineers to end strike affecting NYC routes

    In Newark, New Jersey, the train engineers of New Jersey Transit have…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 19, 2025
    Jenny Willford pullquote on sexual assault
    • Local News

    Alleged imposter pretending to be Lyft driver and sexually assaulting Colorado legislator faces charges for inappropriate sexual behavior

    DENVER — A man who allegedly posed as a Lyft driver and…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 19, 2025
    'Greed and opportunism': Cuyahoga County executive blasts Haslam Sports Group as battle for Cleveland Browns domed stadium escalates
    • Local News

    Cuyahcounty executive criticizes Haslam Sports Group for being greedy and opportunistic in Cleveland Browns stadium feud.

    • BBC Gossip
    • May 19, 2025
    Salt-N-Pepa sue record label to reclaim rights to their recordings including ‘Push It’
    • Local News

    Salt-N-Pepa take legal action against record label to regain control of their songs, including ‘Push It’

    Salt-N-Pepa are telling their record label not to push it as they…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 19, 2025
    Israel will allow a small amount of food into Gaza as allies say famine means no more support
    • Local News

    Israel to permit limited food entry into Gaza amid warnings of famine and decreased support from allies.

    For months, Israel has blockaded all supplies trying to reach the 2…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 19, 2025

    Recent Posts

    • The Chicago White Sox reveal a visual tribute to Pope Leo XIV at Rate Field, in memory of his presence during the 2005 World Series attended by Robert Prevost.
    • Second Execution in Indiana Since 2009 Scheduled for Convicted Cop Killer
    • 20 Must-See Rugby Stadiums Around the World: A Personal Experience by CHRIS FOY
    • The Brooklyn Bridge remains undamaged after a tragic collision involving a Mexican navy ship.
    • Trump expressed shock that the public was not informed earlier about Biden’s prostate cancer, and takes a dig at the timing of when the former President became aware of it.
    Chicago White Sox unveil graphic installation honoring Pope Leo XIV at Rate Field, where Robert Prevost attended 2005 World Series
    • US

    The Chicago White Sox reveal a visual tribute to Pope Leo XIV at Rate Field, in memory of his presence during the 2005 World Series attended by Robert Prevost.

    CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox unveiled a graphic installation on Monday…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 19, 2025
    Convicted cop killer will become 2nd execution in Indiana since 2009
    • US

    Second Execution in Indiana Since 2009 Scheduled for Convicted Cop Killer

    An Indiana man who was convicted of killing a police officer two…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 19, 2025
    New Zealand is not blessed with an array of quality arenas but the Cake Tin makes up for it
    • AU

    20 Must-See Rugby Stadiums Around the World: A Personal Experience by CHRIS FOY

    Finally, here it is, a worldwide guide to assist rugby fans in…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 19, 2025
    Brooklyn Bridge sustains no structural damage after fatal Mexican navy ship crash
    • US

    The Brooklyn Bridge remains undamaged after a tragic collision involving a Mexican navy ship.

    On Monday, officials reported that an examination of the Brooklyn Bridge in…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 19, 2025
    BBC Gossip
    • Home
    • Privacy Policy
    • News
    • Local News
    • Health
    • Crime
    • Guest Post