The country experienced an unprecedented year of protests from November 2024 to November 2025. The movement began after disputed October 2024 elections and a government decision to suspend the EU integration process. Rallies took place daily on Rustaveli Avenue, a roughly 1.5‑kilometre central street from Freedom Square, with people demanding closer ties to Europe and opposing the policies of the ruling Georgian Dream party.
Tensions spiked in November 2024 when police used water cannons, tear gas and pepper spray. Protesters responded with fireworks and repeated night clashes. Police violence injured dozens of media workers, including a journalist who suffered life‑threatening injuries. In early December over 450 people were detained in the first two weeks and civil society reported widespread brutality.
In 2025 protesters adapted tactics: they wore protective gear, disabled tear gas canisters, used banned face masks and staged thematic marches. Authorities introduced bans on fireworks, face masks and lasers, increased fines for road‑blocking and made blocking major exits a criminal offence. The government also restricted foreign grants and political donations and deployed heavy policing, including raids on organisers’ homes. Parliament passed new laws, among them a Georgian version of a FARA‑like law and bans on broadcasters receiving foreign funding; opposition MPs were absent when the measures were approved unanimously.
International bodies reacted: the Council of the EU suspended visa‑free travel for some Georgian diplomats, and the government froze participation in PACE. Courts issued prison terms and fines through 2025; journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli received a two‑year sentence. In November 2025 authorities filed broad charges against major opposition leaders, including alleged coup plots that carry penalties up to 15 years. By the one‑year anniversary crowds had declined but hundreds, sometimes thousands, still protested daily. Police increased mass deployments, blocked streets and sidewalks, and detained people for resisting or insulting officers. On November 25 several protesters handcuffed themselves together to try to avoid arrest. It is not yet clear how long the movement will continue.
Difficult words
- unprecedented — never happened before in the country's history
- suspend — to stop something for a limited time
- integration — process of joining a larger political or economic group
- rally — public meetings where people protest or show supportRallies
- detain — to keep someone in custody or prison temporarilydetained
- brutality — extreme physical violence or cruel treatment by authorities
- deploy — to send people or equipment for a specific purposedeployed
- unanimously — in a way with complete agreement by all people
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How might restrictions on foreign grants and broadcasters affect public information and politics in the country?
- Do you think protesters' use of protective gear and banned masks is justified? Why or why not?
- What effect could international actions like suspending visa-free travel have on the government and on protest movements?
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