**Court Rulings Fuel Protests in Georgia**
On January 10, a Tbilisi City Court judge remanded 11 individuals arrested during a pro-European rally in December. They are accused of participating in group violence and could face prison sentences of 4 to 6 years.
Another court ruling on the same day further fueled tensions. Judge Irakli Khuskivadze ordered 8 protesters to be kept in custody, rejecting their lawyers’ pleas for bail. These individuals were also arrested during pro-European protests last December.
**Protests Erupt**
The court rulings led to protests in Tbilisi and Batumi. Protesters chanted “Police everywhere. Justice nowhere” and threw eggs at judges who were attending a corporate event. Several protesters were arrested.
**International Reaction**
The German Bundestag‘s parliamentary groups issued a statement, stressing the need for free and fair elections in Georgia. They pledged to continue supporting Georgian civil society in their efforts to bring the country back onto a democratic path.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili addressed an event organized by the Hudson Institute, discussing the ongoing political crisis in Georgia. She emphasized the importance of preparing for potential new elections and urged the United States to support the Georgian people.
**Human Rights Concerns**
The International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) condemned the politically motivated dismissal of over 50 civil servants in Georgia. They plan to file a lawsuit to protect their labor rights, alongside the Independent Trade Union of Civil Servants.
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