The United States has criticized Georgian authorities for using excessive force against protesters.
The United States criticized the Georgian authorities on Saturday for the excessive use of force against participants in the protests that have been taking place in the country since the government’s decision to stop the accession process with the European Union. At the same time, the US has suspended its strategic partnership with Georgia, the State Department in Washington announced. TASR informs about it according to the Reuters and AFP agencies.
“We condemn the excessive force used against Georgians who are rightfully protesting this betrayal of their constitution – the EU is a bulwark against the Kremlin,” said US Department of Defense spokesman Matthew Miller. “That is why we have suspended our strategic partnership with Georgia.”
The ministry added in a statement that Georgians overwhelmingly support EU integration and that the United States calls on all parties to ensure the peaceful course of the protests.
According to surveys, about 80 percent of the population of Georgia supports membership in the EU, which has this goal enshrined in the constitution.
Protests in Georgia began after Prime Minister Irakli Kobachidze’s announcement on Thursday to suspend accession talks with the EU until 2028. On Friday, police detained more than 100 people during demonstrations in Tbilisi. The police used water cannon and tear gas against the demonstrators.
Thousands of people gathered in front of the parliament in Tbilisi on Saturday evening as well.
