The Georgian Dream has offered further clarification regarding the statement from the Élysée Palace, which asserts that French President Emmanuel Macron, in a conversation with Bidzina Ivanishvili, called for the release of individuals arbitrarily detained during the protests.
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“The French President, during his speech, did indeed raise the issue of releasing the detainees. The Honorary Chairman of the party explained to the President that the majority of the detainees are under administrative detention and that all of them will be released in the near future.
Regarding those detained on criminal charges, it was explained to Macron that Georgia is a legal state, and all offenders are held accountable for their crimes in accordance with legal requirements and a high standard of evidence,” reads another statement by the Georgian Dream.
According to the party, Bidzina Ivanishvili also informed the French President that the police had acted in accordance with standards higher than those in Europe while responding to the large-scale violence by protest participants.
“Additionally, the Honorary Chairman of the party noted during his speech that an investigation into individual violations had been launched and was ongoing,” the Georgian Dream states.
Macron initiated the telephone conversation and, according to the Georgian Dream, lasted for an hour. Information about the communication was initially disseminated by Bidzina Ivanishvili’s party; however, the published statement did not mention that the French President condemned the intimidation of civil society and opposition representatives, demanded the release of all arbitrarily detained individuals, and called for respect for freedom of expression and assembly. Macron also expressed regret that Georgia had deviated from its European trajectory. He urged an inclusive dialogue with political groups and representatives of civil society.
Ivanishvili and Macron agreed that contact would resume in the coming days to assess the progress achieved.
Protests in Tbilisi, involving thousands of people, began on November 28 after illegitimate Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced at a briefing that Georgia would not include EU accession negotiations on its agenda until the end of 2028 and would reject EU budget funding. Police forces repeatedly dispersed peaceful citizens protesting the suspension of European integration. Special forces physically assaulted both protesters and media representatives. Approximately 500 people were detained on various grounds during the protests.
