**University Accused of Helping Police Crack Down on Students**
A video has sparked outrage among students and the public in Georgia. The video shows police, including riot units, entering the Tbilisi State University (TSU) grounds minutes before dispersing peaceful protesters on the other side of the academic building at dawn on November 19.
The police allegedly used the university area to quietly cross to the other side and launch an offensive against peaceful protesters. This has raised concerns about the university’s independence under the current Georgian Dream government.
**Lecturer Speaks Out**
TSU lecturer Lado Napetvaridze spoke out on social media, saying “Can someone explain to me why the riot police were using the university premises to plan the special operation? Where do I work? Am I the TSU lecturer or the MIA officer?”
Despite growing backlash, university officials have remained silent. TSU is one of Georgia’s oldest educational institutions, but it has long been accused of lacking independence under the current government.
**Student Protests**
Students across Georgia have voiced their criticism of what they say were rigged elections. However, TSU has not allowed its students to enter university premises to protest. But it allegedly opened its doors wide for the police to crack down on them.
The May Student Movement accused the university administration and its rector Samushia of letting the police use the university grounds for police crackdown. They are calling on him to resign.
**Academic Concerns**
Some TSU lecturers have expressed their serious concern about the alleged use of academic spaces by the police to disperse citizens. “Using TSU territory as a springboard for riot police to disperse peaceful protesters is a gross violation of all standards of academic social responsibility,” wrote Iago Kachkachishvili, the head of TSU’s Sociology Program.
**University Remains Silent**
The university administration and its rector have not commented on the matter. However, some lecturers have called for clarification from Rector Samushia. “There is no place for police in the university,” said Salome Dundua, the Dean of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences.
**Protests Continue**
The ongoing non-stop protests, now in their third consecutive day, organized by the opposition forces, with participation of youth, have reclaimed the TSU area on the evening of November 19. The protesters plan to stay near the university for another night to peacefully protest the elections.
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