Georgian authorities have detained Zurab Japaridze, leader of the “Girchi – More Freedom” party, amid mass protests in the capital Tbilisi, where demonstrators demanded stronger ties with the European Union. The party reported that Japaridze was violently beaten by police before being taken into custody, sparking widespread condemnation.

The protests come as public frustration with the government grows, with accusations of delaying essential reforms required for EU integration. Despite the government retracting a controversial bill that initially fueled discontent, protesters remain adamant, calling for sweeping political changes and a commitment to Georgia’s European future.

The European Union had previously rejected Georgia’s bid for candidate status, citing insufficient progress on reforms in governance and judicial independence. The ongoing demonstrations underline mounting tensions, posing a critical challenge for the government to balance public demands with maintaining political stability.