Georgia pro-EU protesters defiant as thousands rally for 11th day

TBILISI: Thousands of pro-Europe protesters rallied on Sunday in Georgia against the government´s decision to shelve European Union accession talks, marking the 11th consecutive day of demonstrations amid a post-election crisis.

The country´s pro-Western opposition and the president rejected the ruling Georgian Dream party´s claimed victory in October 26 parliamentary polls and tens of thousands had taken to the streets against alleged electoral fraud.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze´s shock decision last week that EU-candidate Tbilisi will not seek the opening of accession talks triggered a fresh wave of protests, which met with a tough police response. Kobakhidze has labelled the protesters as opposition-controlled “violent groups”, claiming their attempted revolution “has failed” and -- using language reminiscent of Kremlin rhetoric against its political opponents -- threatened to punish “liberal fascists”.

Riot police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the rallies and the interior ministry said Sunday that 402 protesters had been arrested since November 28, including “more than 30 on criminal charges” and the remainder for administrative offences.