Georgia pro-EU protesters defiant as thousands rally

Thousands of pro-Europe protesters rally in Georgia against the government's decision to shelve EU talks.

TBILISI:

Thousands of pro-Europe protesters rallied Sunday in Georgia against the government's decision to shelve European Union accession talks, marking the 11th consecutive day of demonstrations amid a post-election crisis.

The country's pro-Western opposition and the president rejected the ruling Georgian Dream party's claimed victory in October 26 parliamentary polls and tens of thousands had taken to the streets against alleged electoral fraud.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's shock decision last week that EU-candidate Tbilisi will not seek the opening of accession talks triggered a fresh wave of protests, which met with a tough police response.

Kobakhidze has labelled the protesters as opposition-controlled "violent groups", claiming their attempted revolution "has failed" and -- using language reminiscent of Kremlin rhetoric against its political opponents -- threatened to punish "liberal fascists".

But the largely peaceful protests have shown no signs of abating, even though turnout by the end of the week was slightly lower compared to previous days.

Riot police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the rallies and the interior ministry said Sunday that 402 protesters had been arrested since November 28, including "more than 30 on criminal charges" and the remainder for administrative offences.

The Georgian Dream government's critics accuse it of creeping authoritarianism and of steering the country back towards Russia.

On Sunday evening, thousands of people gathered outside the parliament building in the capital Tbilisi, some demonstrators banging on the metal barriers blocking the parliament's entrance, waving EU flags and loudly blowing horns and whistles, an AFP reporter witnessed.

City authorities began setting up a giant Christmas tree on the pavement outside parliament during the day, but the installation quickly became a symbolic battleground for protesters.

Demonstrators hung on the tree's metallic framework photos of individuals reportedly beaten by police -- their faces swollen and bruised -- alongside fliers reading "Bloody Christmas tree."

"It's not time for celebrations now," said Nino, 27. The authorities "can't scare us... we are not going to stop."

As thousands rallied on Saturday outside parliament, dozens of unidentified masked men stormed the offices of the For Change opposition alliance, brutally assaulting opposition figure Koba Khabazi