**Pro-EU Protests Continue in Georgia**
For the fifth day, thousands of people have been demonstrating outside the Georgian parliament on Rustaveli Avenue and other cities across the country. The protests started after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that Georgia would leave the EU accession process.
The demonstrations in Tbilisi have turned violent, with police using excessive force against protesters. Dozens of people were beaten severely, and over 200 were arrested on administrative charges. Many Georgians are unhappy with the government’s decision to give up on joining the European Union.
**President Stands Firm**
President Salome Zurabishvili has refused to resign, saying that an illegitimate parliament cannot elect a new president. She claims that her mandate will continue until a new, legitimate parliament is elected.
**Diplomatic Fallout**
The Georgian ambassadors to several countries have resigned in protest against the government’s decision. The US and Baltic states have also imposed sanctions on key officials, including the patron of the ruling party, Bidzina Ivanishvili.
**International Reaction**
The EU and US have expressed regret over Georgia’s withdrawal from the accession process. They have condemned the excessive use of force against protesters and described the government’s decision as a betrayal of the constitution.
**U.S. Calls for Sanctions**
A top US official has called for sanctions on Bidzina Ivanishvili and his cronies, describing them as “illegitimate Russian puppets attacking the Georgian people”.
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