Europhiles protested in Tbilisi after Georgia suspended its bid to join the EU.

The government's decision to halt EU accession talks until 2028 sparked public outrage, with protests erupting following the October 26 election.

Thousands of Pro-EU demonstrators filled the streets, chanting 'traitors' and holding photos of injured journalists who were reportedly assaulted by police on November 29.

Footage captured by local journalist Nicholas Pearce showed protesters burning bins and wooden planks as riot police surrounded them.

Authorities used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds, leading to injuries on both sides.

The Interior Ministry reported that 32 officers were hurt, while opposition groups claimed protesters were also wounded, including one individual who sustained a broken nose.

The protests were further fuelled by a European Parliament resolution condemning irregularities in Georgia's election and calling for sanctions against top officials. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze dismissed the criticism, accusing the EU of 'blackmail' and insisting that the country would pursue EU membership on its own terms.

Public anger intensified over accusations that the ruling Georgian Dream party is shifting away from pro-European goals and aligning closer to Russia.

Former Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili said in an interview: 'Since gaining independence 30 years ago, Georgia has been clearly pro-Western, pro-NATO, and pro-EU. This united every government in power.'

A survey conducted last year by the Centre for Insights in Survey Research found that 89 percent of Georgians believe their country is either a target of Russian aggression or will be soon. This fear is rooted in a history of conflict. After Georgia deported four suspected Russian spies in 2006, Russia retaliated with a full-scale diplomatic and economic war, followed by the persecution of ethnic Georgians in Russia.

The subsequent conflict left heavy casualties. Georgia reported 170 soldiers, 14 police officers, and 228 civilians killed, with 1,747 people wounded while Russia reported 67 soldiers killed and 283 wounded.