Tbilisi, Georgia - November 29, 2024 A blazing bonfire on Rustaveli Avenue became the fiery centerpiece of escalating protests in Georgia’s capital, captured in a video shared by X user Nicholas Pearce. Describing the scene at 3 a.m., Pearce detailed how protesters fueled the flames with bins and wooden planks as riot police amassed in the background. The protest, he said, was the most significant in size and violence since the disputed October 26 election, rivaling earlier demonstrations against the foreign agents law. The unrest erupted after the government announced a suspension of EU accession talks until 2028, a decision seen by many as a betrayal of Georgia’s constitutional commitment to European integration. Thousands of demonstrators returned to the streets, shouting “traitors” and displaying photos of journalists allegedly assaulted by police. For the second consecutive night, riot police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds. The Interior Ministry reported injuries to 32 officers, while opposition groups said protesters were also wounded, including one individual who suffered a broken nose. The protests follow a European Parliament resolution condemning Georgia’s elections for irregularities and urging sanctions against top officials. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, rejecting the criticism, accused the EU of “blackmail” and vowed to pursue membership on Georgia’s terms. With protests spreading to other cities like Kutaisi, the fiery demonstrations highlight growing public dissent against the ruling Georgian Dream party, accused of veering away from EU aspirations toward closer ties with Russia.