Special forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs dispersed protesters in Tbilisi, who moved to Chavchavadze Blvd., leaving Rustaveli Blvd.
The protesters left the place voluntarily, without waiting for the usual dispersal by security forces, as has happened at dawn for the past four days. Citizens settled near Tbilisi State University on Chavchavadze Blvd.
About an hour and a half after the protesters stood on the roadway, a cordon of special forces and a water cannon appeared. Security forces used a water cannon to extinguish the burning barricades erected by the protesters, who were fleeing along the Blvd. Chavchavadze.
Individual protesters and small groups remain on Rustaveli Boulevard.
Georgian Ambassador to the Czech Republic Teia Maisuradze became the country's sixth diplomat to resign after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's statement on freezing the issue of starting negotiations with the EU.
„I have resigned from my position as Ambassador of Georgia to the Czech Republic. It has been a great honor for me to serve the national interests of my country for almost two decades, promoting its Euro-Atlantic integration, defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity. writes the diplomat in X.
Before Maisuradze resigned, the country's ambassadors to the United States, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, as well as Georgia's acting ambassador to Italy, announced their resignations.
Thousands of people joined pro-European rallies across Georgia against the decision of the conservative nationalist party "Georgian Dream" to temporarily freeze the process of the South Caucasian country's accession to the EU, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
Previously, a number of schools and universities announced an indefinite suspension of classes in solidarity with the protesters, the Interpress news agency reported.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze suspended EU membership negotiations until 2028, which sparked the demonstrations. Georgia's European integration is enshrined in its constitution.
The Interior Ministry said more than 200 arrests had been made during demonstrations in recent days. The ministry said it expected the protests to continue.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk condemned the use of "excessive force" against demonstrators in dispersing protests in recent days, AFP reported.
"The use of excessive or unnecessary force against protesters and media representatives is extremely disturbing," Turk said. "All Georgians from across the political spectrum must have the right to freely and peacefully express their views on the future of the country."
Turk's statement came after reports of dozens of protesters and media representatives being injured during the protests. Law enforcement reportedly used water cannons and pepper spray and chemical irritants.
The High Commissioner pointed out that according to international standards, force should only be used as a last resort, and expressed concern about the number of arrests in recent days, which is 224.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, who is in conflict with the government in Tbilisi, called on Western countries to support the "national movement" in support of Georgia's integration into the European Union, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
Zourabichvili spoke shortly before protesters and police renewed clashes for a fifth consecutive night. She asked European countries to send a "very clear message" that they will not recognize the results of the October elections and will insist on a rerun.
According to official results, the Georgian Dream party won the election with 54% of the vote. However, Zurabishvili and opposition parties claim that the vote was rigged - an accusation that has been rejected by both Georgian Dream and the election commission. Zurabishvili said that, having already invaded Ukraine, Russia is waging a "hybrid war" against Georgia and other countries such as Moldova and Romania.
Yesterday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected allegations that Russia is interfering in the situation in Georgia, which he compared to the 2014 "Maidan" in Ukraine - a wave of protests that toppled pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warned yesterday that Georgia was "moving rapidly along the Ukrainian path". He said the country was heading for "a dark abyss" and would end "very badly".
Zourabichvili denied that the situation was revolutionary or similar to that which had previously brought pro-Western governments to power in Ukraine and Georgia.
The United States and the European Union have already said they are concerned about the backsliding from democracy that they see in Georgia. They are referring to the actions of the government in Tbilisi, which earlier this year passed a law against "foreign agents" and introduced restrictions on LGBT rights. "Georgian Dream", however, claims that it is taking action to protect Georgia from external interference and prevent it from being drawn into a war with Russia, as it has in Ukraine.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has accused the opposition of "coordinated violence" aimed at undermining the constitutional order. At a briefing today, he ruled out talks with the opposition to end the crisis, local media reported.
Georgia's Interior Ministry said 113 police officers had been injured since the unrest began. Dozens of protesters were also injured. The United States condemned the excessive use of police force. Georgia's ombudsman said more than 120 people arrested during the rallies had complained that police had used violence against them, calling the figures "very worrying."
In a joint move with the Baltic states, Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania said they were imposing joint sanctions on ten Georgian Interior Ministry officials. The Baltic states are also sanctioning billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, the man behind the Georgian Dream party. The argument of the three Baltic states is that the sanctioned people are responsible for "human rights violations" in Georgia. Georgian martial arts champion Ilya Topuria, who has a large following on "Instagram", wrote on the social network: "I am against the decision to suspend accession negotiations with the European Union. I am ashamed to see how they treat the children of Georgia. This is not freedom."