Popular Front Police in Georgia are Using Chemical Weapons on Protestors
Dec 18, 2025
Mariam Rigvava, a journalist and activist from Georgia, delves into the alarming escalation of anti-government protests and the shocking use of chemical weapons by police. She discusses the six-month timeline of unrest, government repression tactics, and the alarming new laws that stifle civil protests. Rigvava highlights the chaotic atmosphere on the streets, the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the grassroots efforts to resist authoritarianism. The profound health effects of chemical agents on protesters and the fierce determination of activists mark a pivotal moment in Georgia's fight for civil rights.
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State Uses Legal Tools To Crush Dissent
- Georgia's protests escalated after rigged elections but were met with systematic state repression.
- The government used arrests, fines and job losses to shrink civic space and silence dissent.
New Laws Eliminate Public Protest Space
- New laws now ban protests even on pavements and impose prison terms for blocking roads.
- The foreign agents law and funding cuts forced NGOs like Tbilisi Pride to shut down under political pressure.
Tbilisi Pride Closed Under Pressure
- Mariam shut down Tbilisi Pride after government threats, propaganda and foreign-funding restrictions.
- The state portrayed the organisation as pushing a 'Western gay agenda', eroding public support and funding.