For the third day in a row, the government's announcement to freeze all talks about EU membership for four years has brought thousands of demonstrators out onto the streets.
The recent days' protests have led to violent clashes between pro-European demonstrators and riot police. Over 200 people have been arrested and more than 70 police officers have been injured, reports the Spanish news agency EFE.
Condemns the violence
Demonstrators built barricades near the parliament and threw iron rods, stones, bottles, torches, and fireworks at the police, according to the country's Prime Minister Irakli Kobachidze. The police have responded with tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets.
The US condemned on Saturday "the excessive use of violence" and has urged both sides to ensure that the protests remain peaceful.
The country's President Salomé Zourabichvili has announced that she does not intend to resign when her term expires in December and has urged the government to resume contacts with the EU.
Criticizes election result
The demonstration strengthens the criticism of the result of the election on October 26, which has not been recognized by either the opposition in the country or by the EU Parliament. According to the official election result, the ruling party Georgian Dream received 89 of the 150 seats in parliament.
The opposition is boycotting the plenum in parliament in protest against the election result. Together with the outburst from President Zourabichvili, who says she does not intend to resign until new elections are held, the conflict in the country with 3.8 million inhabitants is escalating.
