Protests Erupt in Georgia as Demonstrators Block Access to Poti Port
Demonstrators in the Black Sea city of Poti blocked access to the country’s main commercial port POTI, on 1st December. This unrest erupted in response to the ruling party’s announcement of suspending discussions on the country joining the EU for four years.
The Port of POTI is the primary port of Georgia, handling around 80% of its container traffic. According to the images being circulated, protestors blocked access to at least one road to the port. The port is managed by APM Terminals, which is a subsidiary of Maersk.
The controversial announcement was made on 28th November. The decision to defer the negotiations of the country joining the EU is being criticized by many as being a move away from Western alignment and democracy. Protesters accuse the ruling party of trying to build closer ties to Russia.
Protesters obstructing access to the port of Poti are but a part of a much wider unrest across the nation. Protests are reported to have spread to 8 cities and towns other than the cities of Poti and Tbilisi. The police are responding to the clashing protestors with tear gas and water cannons, and more than 150 protestors have been detained across the nation.
