**Georgian Police Detain Opposition Leader Amid Protests**
On December 4, Georgian police detained Nika Gvaramia, the leader of the opposition party Coalition for Change. This happened as pro-EU protests continued in the country.
Gvaramia was taken from his office by police and put into a car. The authorities were searching multiple opposition parties and non-governmental organizations at the time.
**Protests Continue Amid Crackdown**
The protests started last week after the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, said that the country’s EU accession process would be suspended until 2028. Over 330 people have been arrested since then, with tens of thousands joining the demonstrations.
Police used teargas and water cannons to try and disperse the crowds, while protesters set up barricades and shot fireworks at the riot police. Dozens of people were injured during the crackdown, including journalists covering the event.
**Concerns Over Human Rights**
President Salome Zourabichvili said that many of those arrested had injuries to their heads and faces, as well as broken bones and open wounds. Amnesty International has previously accused the government of being “politically motivated” in its actions against opposition leaders.
Gvaramia was previously imprisoned for 13 months on charges of abuse of authority, which were seen as politically motivated. He was pardoned by President Zourabichvili in June 2023.
**International Concerns**
The international community is watching the situation closely. The UK‘s National Crime Agency announced that it had dismantled a multibillion-dollar money laundering scheme on December 4, which was used to evade sanctions using cryptocurrency.
Business leaders at an energy security conference said that Ukraine was looking for alternative fuel sources as the country faced power cuts and freezing temperatures. President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Georgian authorities of pushing the country towards dependence on Russia.
**Ukraine Support**
The US Secretary of State confirmed that the transfer of arms to Ukraine is part of a coordinated effort with the EU to support the country. NATO countries are providing air defenses to help protect Ukrainian infrastructure, but there is currently a shortage of such systems.
A drone attack hit a police building in Chechnya on December 4, and Russian troops were reported to be storming the Kherson direction in an attempt to gain control of some islands in the Dnipro River delta.