Georgian opposition leader arrested as mass protests enter 6th day

[LAUREN TAYLOR]

A CHAOTIC SCENE IN THE GEORGIAN CAPITAL OF TBILISI AS POLICE ARRESTED THE LEADER OF ONE OF THE COUNTRY’S OPPOSITION PARTIES. 

THE HEAD OF THE COUNTRY’S COALITION FOR CHANGE OPPOSITION PARTY KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS DURING THE VIOLENT SCUFFLE FOLLOWED BY OFFICERS PUTTING HIM INTO THE BACK OF A VEHICLE

THE CONFRONTATION HAPPENING WEDNESDAY AS GEORGIAN AUTHORITIES RAIDED THE OFFICES OF OPPOSITION PARTY MEMBERS.

CRITICS SAY THE CRACKDOWN IS MEANT TO SNUFF OUT MASS PROTESTS GRIPPING THE NATION FOR NEARLY A WEEK.

THE DEMONSTRATIONS FOLLOWING GEORGIA’S RULING PARTY’S DECISION TO SUSPEND NEGOTIATIONS ON EUROPEAN UNION MEMBERSHIP.

HUNDREDS OF PROTESTERS HAVE REPORTEDLY BEEN DETAINED DURING THE PROTESTS AND MORE THAN A HUNDRED PEOPLE HURT.

THE PRIME MINISTER WHO IS PART OF THE RULING PARTY, KNOWN AS THE GEORGIAN DREAM PARTY, DENIED THE RAIDS WERE REPRESSION AND CLAIMED THEY ONLY TARGETED THOSE ENCOURAGING VIOLENCE DURING PROTESTS.

THE DREAM PARTY KEPT CONTROL OF PARLIAMENT AFTER ELECTIONS IN OCTOBER, WHICH THE OPPOSITION AND GEORGIAN PRESIDENT HAVE CALLED FRAUDULENT.

THE PRESIDENT THIS WEEK CALLING FOR THE WEST TO SUPPORT THE “NATIONAL MOVEMENT” AMONG PROTESTERS AND ACCUSING THE RULING PARTY OF USING PRO-RUSSIAN TACTICS TO SUPPRESS FREE SPEECH.

THE U-S CONDEMNED VIOLENCE AGAINST PROTESTERS AND THE E-U NOTED IT HAS “SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT THE THE CONTINUOUS DEMOCRATIC BACKSLIDING OF THE COUNTRY.”

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FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS– I’M LAUREN TAYLOR.