Georgia police use water cannon and pepper spray in Tbilisi as protests continue over suspension of EU membership talks

Violence has broken out again in Georgia's capital after protesters took to the streets near parliament over the suspension of EU membership talks.

Police used water cannon and pepper spray as thousands gathered in Tbilisi to demand the government change its stance.

Some protesters hurled fireworks at police and pushed a burning industrial bin towards officers.

There were also protests on Thursday after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced accession talks were being put off until 2028 due to EU "blackmail".

It followed the European Parliament adopting a resolution condemning last month's election as neither free nor fair and criticising the ruling Georgian Dream party.

The party won almost 54% of votes, but opponents claim Russia helped rig the vote to halt the country's move towards the West.

There were allegations of ballot box stuffing, intimidation and civil servants being forced to vote for the status quo.

Joining the European Union is overwhelmingly popular in Georgia, according to opinion polls, and joining the bloc is enshrined in its constitution.

However, the governing party has been accused of becoming ever-more authoritarian and sympathetic towards Moscow.

Hundreds of government staff have signed an open letter saying the freeze in talks is unconstitutional, while business groups have also urged the government to rethink.

President Salome Zourabichvili, who has a mostly ceremonial role, has accused the government of declaring "war" on its people.

In an address to the nation on Friday, the president urged police not to use force on protesters.

Georgia was granted EU candidate status in December 2023 but the process was paused indefinitely in June after a "foreign influence" law - seen as an attack on democracy - was passed.

The European Union has also urged a re-run of the election to be held under international supervision within a year.

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Prime Minister Kobakhidze said the government would not yield to such demands.

"We will continue on our path toward the European Union; however, we will not allow anyone to keep us in a constant state of blackmail and manipulation, which is utterly disrespectful to our country and society," he said.

"We must clearly show certain European politicians and bureaucrats, who are completely devoid of European values, that they must speak to Georgia with dignity, not through blackmail and insults."

(c) Sky News 2024: Georgia police use water cannon and pepper spray in Tbilisi as protest