Georgia protests over EU application delay | BBC News

Thousands of protesters returned to the streets of Tbilisi on Friday evening to protest against the government's decision to suspend accession talks with the European Union "until the end of 2028".

Demonstrators were seen shouting "traitors" and holding photographs of journalists who they say were beaten by police overnight.

The previous night's protests saw police use pepper spray and water cannon against demonstrators, with the government saying 43 people were arrested.

Earlier, more than 100 diplomats and civil servants in Georgia signed an open letter saying the government's decision does not align with Georgia's strategic interests.

Defending his decision, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze accused the EU of "blackmail" after EU legislators called for last month's parliamentary elections in Georgia to be re-run. They cited "significant irregularities".

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