Georgian protesters burn symbolic coffin of pro-Russian ruling party founder

The coffin was set ablaze near Georgia’s parliament building. Previously, protesters had burned Georgian Dream flags and effigies of Ivanishvili during demonstrations.

Protesters also redecorated a Christmas tree with slogans and photos of demonstrators injured or detained during crackdowns. City services had removed these images the day before, replacing them with a few holiday garlands.

Protests over Georgia's abandonment of EU talks

On Nov. 28, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that the country would suspend EU membership talks until 2028. This sparked renewed protests in Tbilisi’s main square, where crowds rallied against the government’s policies.

Between Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, thousands gathered in Tbilisi and other cities, shattering parliament building windows and launching fireworks that caused a small fire. Police responded with a prolonged crackdown that lasted all night.

On Dec. 7, Georgian law enforcement escalated their actions, using water cannons and tear gas to disperse demonstrators. This marked the first significant police intervention in three days of anti-government protests.

Amid the unrest, masked assailants attacked a TV Pirveli news crew near Rustaveli Avenue, seizing the cameraman’s equipment.

The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that 402 people had been detained over 11 days of protests. Of these, more than 30 were arrested under criminal charges, while 372 faced administrative charges.