Protestors in support of the EU took to the streets (Image: Getty)
The streets of the Georgian capital Tbilisi descended into chaos on Friday as riot police armed
Furious demonstrations expressed their anger at the Georgian government’s decision to delay its bid for membership of the
The country’s prime minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, announced the decision as endures a political crisis following a recent election.
The Georgian government won a large majority in the vote, but the election has attracted controversy.
This week, the European Parliament passed a resolution saying that the election was neither free nor fair”, adding that it should be rerun.
Georgian protestors put up barricades and set them on fire (Image: getty)
Reported irregularities included pressure on citizens, alleged vote buying, and ballot stuffing.
Some in Georgia feel the election was rigged in order to ensure Georgia would stay within ‘s sphere of influence.
Pro-Western President Salome Zourabichvili, whose six-year term expires next month, said: “Today marks a significant point, or rather, the conclusion of the constitutional coup that has been unfolding for several weeks.
“Today, this non-existent and illegitimate government declared war on its own people.”
Georgia’s Interior Ministry reported that “protesters physically confronted police” in Tbilisi, “resulting in injuries to three officers, two of whom have been hospitalised”.
Police used rubber bullets and tear gas to quell the protests (Image: Getty)
It added: “To de-escalate the situation, the police have employed measures permitted by law, including the use of special means.”
The police’s efforts to quell the protests stretched into the early hours of the morning on Friday.
It has been alleged that officers assaulted protestors and journalists.
Protestors put up barricades and set them on fire.
He is known not only for his anti-West views, but also for his football career. He played for Football Club in the 1995-96 season, scoring three goals in 28 appearances.