Page 9 - GEORptJul18

Georgia’s increasing closeness to the EU and Nato and its openness to dialogue with Russia in the Geneva International Discussions launched after the five-day war between the two countries in 2008.
However, in recent weeks any achievements by Kvirikashvili’s government have been overshadowed by the protests over the trial of those suspected of killing teenage boys David Saralidze and Levan Dadunashvili in a brawl outside their school — and despite this not being mentioned in Kvirikashvili’s address it is considered to be a key factor in his departure.
The demonstrations initiated by Zaza Saralidze, the father of David Saralidze, first targeted prosecutors, who he accused of covering up his son’s killer. But as they grew in scale the protests have become an outpouring of anger against Kvirikashvili and his government, who protesters said should resign.
Saralidze organised two rallies in April and early May, but the protests began in earnest at the end of May when the Tbilisi city court announced it had not managed to determine who actually killed his son, who died from multiple stab wounds days after the incident.
Chief prosecutor Irakly Shotadze stepped down late on May 31, and openly criticised the verdict, but this failed to end the protests, which have become increasingly targeted against Kvirikashvili. The prime minister’s attempt to talk with protest leaders on May 31 failed dismally as he was booed and shouted down. After a brief hiatus, protesters were back on the streets on June 10, and said they planned to keep up the pressure on Kvirikashvili’s government.
The protests come amid a turbulent spring in both Georgia and neighbouring Armenia. Earlier this month, thousands of young Georgians protested by holding a dance music party in the square outside the parliament following brutal police raids on a number of popular nightclubs on May 11. Three weeks of mass protests in Armenia in late April and early May forced the resignation of prime minister Serzh Sargsyan. He was replaced by protest leader Nikol Pashinian.
2.4 Tbilisi police detain dozens of opposition members and dismantle protest camp
Dozens of members and supporters of Georgia's opposition United National Movement party (ENM) were detained on June 11 as police dismantled a protest camp in the centre of Tbilisi.
RFE/RL reported ENM member Zaal Udumashvili as telling reporters that those detained included lawmaker Nika Melia and Irakli Nadiradze, a member of the city council.
The Interior Ministry said earlier that one of the organisers of the anti-government protest, Zviad Kuprava, and three other protesters were detained for alleged hooliganism and acts of disobedience.
Tbilisi has witnessed anti-government rallies since May 31 as a protest against the verdict in the trial of two young men suspected of killing two teenagers in December.
9 GEORGIA Country Report July 2018 www.intellinews.com