2011 Georgian protests

2011 protests in Georgia against the government of Mikheil SaakashviliSeptember 2020 2011 Georgian protests 21–26 May 2011 Georgia Resignation of President Mikheil Saakashvili, political reforms Protests suppressed by Georgian authorities, Badri Bitsadze arrested and charged for orchestrating the protests. Demonstrations, civil disobedience Georgia People's AssemblyCivil.ge https://civil.ge/archives/231892 Last Day of People's Assembly Protests 26 May 2011 15 July 2022 National Forum Democratic Movement Flag of Georgia.svg Government of Georgia Ministry of Internal Affairs Police of Georgia Constitutional Security Department National Security Council Nino BurjanadzeBadri BitsadzeNona Gaprindashvili Mikheil SaakashviliVano MerabishviliData AkhalaiaVasil Leluashvili 10,000 4 Killed Or Injured 1 Arrested Badri Bitsadze thumb | 220x124px | right The 2011 Georgian protests were a series of anti-government protests in Georgia against President Mikheil Saakashvili. Events thumb|right|Poster announcing the protests on 21 May 2011 with the slogan "Misha will go!" The protests began on 21 May 2011 when over 10,000 Georgians attended a demonstration in Tbilisi demanding Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili's resignation. In the southwestern city of Batumi some demonstrations also occurred with some protesters attempting to break into television building.2011-05-24 Georgian protests, TV building attacked World Reuters http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFTRE74K1Z620110521 2023-02-22 25 June 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110625100945/http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFTRE74K1Z620110521 dead Nino Burjanadze, an ex-parliamentary speaker and leader of the Democratic Movement-United Georgia party, has been a lead figure in the demonstrations.Civil.Ge; Protesters March to Public Broadcaster https://web.archive.org/web/20110607120730/http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=23478 7 June 2011 The protesters in Batumi briefly clashed with police.Civil.Ge; Police Briefly Clash with Protesters in Batumi https://web.archive.org/web/20110806055906/http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=23479 6 August 2011 On 26 May at about 00:15, Georgian police began to suppress the protests with tear gas and rubber bullets, and the protests soon ended.The Economist https://www.economist.com/europe/2011/06/02/on-rustaveli-avenue Protests in Georgia:On Rustaveli Avenue 2 June 2011 15 July 2011 On 28 May, a separate demonstration was held with thousands of participants, protesting against violence both by the protesters and by the police. Arrests In early June, Georgian authorities arrested and charged Badri Bitsadze, husband of former parliament speaker Nino Burdzhanadze, with attempting to orchestrate the government takeover using paramilitary groups during the violent anti-government protests.http://georgiandaily.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21533&Itemid=133 georgiandaily.com - Charges for Opposition Protest in Georgia 2011-06-02 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110711091323/http://georgiandaily.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21533&Itemid=133 11 July 2011 There have been 105 other arrests of protesters.https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/29/world/europe/29georgia.html?_r=1 The New York Times Bodies Found Near Site of Protests in Georgia Ellen Barry 28 May 2011 15 July 2011 Reactions Mikheil Saakashvilli alleged that the protestors were backed by Russia and had provoked the violence. Likewise John R. Bass, the American ambassador to Georgia, stated that "here were clearly a number of people included in that protest who were not interested in peacefully protesting, but were looking to spark a violent confrontation." The Georgian Interior Ministry released video recordings that it claims show opposition members discussing how to instigate clashes with policeGeorgian Interior Ministry, Georgian Interior Ministry The Economist, meanwhile, spoke of an attempt by Burjanadze to "claw her way back to power". Irakli Alasania (an opposition leader who disassociated himself from the protests early on) opined that the protests were doomed to failure because: The era when politicians can just call people on the streets is over. Georgia is building a new political culture. People want to determine Georgia’s future through elections. Investigation After the change of power in Georgia in 2012, the new government opened investigation into dispersal of the 2011 protests. On February 27, 2014, former Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili was found guilty by the Tbilisi City Court of exceeding official powers during the protests by ordering break up of rally in Tbilisi with the use of excessive force. He was sentenced to six years in prison, which was reduced to 4 years and 6 months due to amnesty.Civil Georgia https://civil.ge/archives/123537 Merabishvili Sentenced in Case over Break Up of 2011 Protest 27 February 2014 15 July 2022 On September 20, 2016, the Prosecutor's Office of Georgia charged four former Constitutional Security Department officials for their handling of the protests.Democracy & Freedom Watch https://dfwatch.net/new-charges-against-ex-officials-for-may-26-2011-mass-arrests-45574 New charges against ex-officials for May 26, 2011 mass arrests 21 September 2016 15 July 2022 See also Rose Revolution 2007 Georgian demonstrations 2009 Georgian demonstrations 2012 Georgian protests List of protests in the 21st century References Category:2011 in Georgia (country) Category:Protests in Georgia (country) Georgian Category:History of Tbilisi Category:2010s in Tbilisi