TBILISI -- Pro-Europe protesters rallied on the streets of Tbilisi for the 13th consecutive night, while European Union foreign ministers warned the Georgian Dream-led government of consequences for its "democratic backslide" and "repressive" tactics against demonstrators.
Some 4,000 protesters, many waving EU and Georgian flags, gathered outside the parliament building on December 10, angered over the government’s recent decision to set aside EU accession talks until at least 2028 and following elections held amid accusations of Russian meddling.
"Every day after work, we are coming here," Sofia Japaridze, 40, told AFP. "All of Georgia, every city, every village, everybody wants [to join] the EU. We don't want to go back to the U.S.S.R."
Your browser doesn’t support HTML5
'Targets': Georgian Journalists Beaten By Masked Men Amid Ongoing Protests (Video)
EU foreign ministers, set for a summit on December 16, said they will discuss punishing Georgian leaders after what they described as "credible concerns" of torture the past two weeks against pro-EU protesters.
"The persistent democratic backslide and the recent repressive means used by Georgian authorities have consequences for our bilateral relations. The EU will consider additional measures," a statement said.
"Over 400 individuals have been detained and more than 300 have reportedly suffered violence and ill-treatment, many requiring urgent medical care."
It said there are "credible concerns of torture and inhuman treatment" and said reports of human rights violations must be investigated.
"The EU deplores these repressive actions against protesters, media representatives, and opposition leaders and calls for the immediate release of all detained individuals," it said.
Your browser doesn’t support HTML5
'We Stopped Our Lives': Georgian Protesters Fatigued But Resilient As Demonstrations Continue
In a draft document seen by RFE/RL ahead of a separate European Council meeting on December 19, the EU raised concerns about the government's violent crackdown on protesters and its decision to suspend the country's EU accession process until 2018.
"The European Council strongly condemns the violence against peaceful protesters,” the document reads.
“The Georgian authorities must respect the right to freedom of assembly and of expression, and refrain from using force. All acts of violence must be investigated and those responsible held accountable.”
Britain on December 9 said it was severely restricting its contacts with the Georgia government and blasted its "shocking" crackdown on journalists and pro-Western demonstrators, reflecting earlier moves by the United States and EU.
Georgia received EU candidate status in December 2023 but relations with Brussels have soured in recent months, beginning with the adoption of a controversial "foreign agent" law that critics say threatens to publicly discredit thousands of media outlets and civil society groups as "serving" outside powers.
Tensions rose after the ruling Georgian Dream party declared victory in an election on October 26 that the pro-Western opposition and Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili say was rigged with the help of Moscow.
Protests intensified after the Tbilisi government said it was suspending until 2028 talks with Brussels on Georgia's bid to join the EU.
In the Georgian capital, riot police have deployed tear gas and water cannons against mostly peaceful demonstrators over recent days, with many journalists reporting they have been targeted by security forces and men in civilian clothes.
Despite the strong words, the EU could have difficulties coming to a consensus during the summit.
Right-wing Hungarian leader Viktor Orban has expressed support for Georgia's government while condemning efforts to sanction Georgian Dream leaders over the brutal tactics.