UK to reduce support for Georgia after 'shocking scenes of violence' at EU protests

The UK will reduce its support and engagement with Georgia following "shocking scenes of violence", the foreign secretary has said.

Tens of thousands of demonstrators have clashed with riot police in the eastern European country since 28 November after the governing Georgian Dream party decided to suspend talks on joining the European Union until 2028.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced the suspension after the European Parliament rejected the results of Georgia's October parliamentary elections, which was won by Georgian Dream, but the EU said it was "neither free nor fair" and should be re-run under international supervision.

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Announcing the UK is pulling its support, Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: "The shocking scenes of violence towards protesters and journalists by the Georgian authorities are unacceptable and must stop.

"These actions tarnish Georgia's international standing and fly in the face of Georgia's constitutional commitment to a European future.

"In light of ongoing events, the UK will immediately suspend all programme support to the Georgian government, restrict defence cooperation, and limit engagement with representatives of the Georgian Dream government until there is a halt to this move away from European democratic norms and freedoms.

"The UK will continue to stand by the people of Georgia in supporting their right to choose their country's future."

Georgia has been a candidate for EU membership since December last year, after applying in March 2022. Joining the EU has been enshrined in Georgia's constitution since 2017.

The opposition and the pro-Western president, Salome Zourabichvili, have accused Georgian Dream of rigging the October election with Russia's help, and have boycotted parliament sessions.

Demonstrators have been seen waving EU flags while riot police use tear gas and water cannons to try to disperse them.

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Protesters detained by police have allegedly been physically assaulted, with their arms and legs broken and instructions to target their livers and heads, according to anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International.

Last Wednesday, the Coalition for Change opposition party said police raided its offices and detained its leader, Nika Gvaramia. It shared a video showing several officers dragging him into a car.

Journalists have also been brutally beaten, with Georgian reporter Guram Rogava doing a live broadcast when a riot policeman hit him on the head on Friday.

He was released from hospital with an immobilised neck and bandaged head, and said he was lucky to be able to move his hands and talk.

"It was clear that they were deliberately attacking media representatives," he told the Associated Press.

The prime minister has claimed "foreign trainers" are organising violence during the current demonstrations.

Last Monday he reaffirmed the government's commitment to joining the EU, saying his party will make "every effort" for full membership by 2030.