TBILISI: Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze vowed today to “eradicate” the pro-European opposition in the country as anti-government protests entered their second week.

According to Qatar News Agency, Kobakhidze dismissed international condemnation, intensifying the conflict with opposition groups pushing for re-elections. He stated that his government will do whatever it takes to completely eliminate fascist liberalism in Georgia, and that the process has already begun. He also urged citizens to protect their children from the “influence of fascist liberal centers,” referring to the young protesters who had been holding nightly gatherings in the capital. This followed a police raid on several opposition offices and the detention of around 300 people, with clashes that left dozens injured, including both protesters and police, outside the parliament building.

The United States condemned the security crackdown and threatened additional sanctions on Georgian leaders. Several ambassadors and the deputy
foreign minister resigned in protest against the government’s decision last Thursday to suspend EU accession talks until 2028, amid ongoing unrest following “Georgian Dream” party’s controversial victory in last October’s elections.