Police and protesters clashed on the streets of Tbilisi, Georgia, on Saturday, Nov. 30 and Sunday, Dec. 1, as unrest continued following the country’s decision to halt European Union accession talks until 2028.

Footage filmed by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty shows chaotic scenes between police and protesters in the capital over the weekend.

Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs labelled the protest as “destructive and illegal” after a cafe was set alight.

In a statement on Saturday, the US Department of State said the country “rejected the opportunity for closer ties with Europe and made Georgia more vulnerable to the Kremlin,” and suspended strategic partnership with the nation.

“The Georgian people overwhelmingly support integration with Europe. The United States condemns the excessive use of force by police against Georgians seeking to exercise their rights to assembly and expression, including their freedom to peacefully protest. We call on all sides to ensure protests remain peaceful,” the statement read.

Protesters used laser pointers on riot police and set fire to the barricades earlier in the day.

Credit: RFE/RL via Storyful

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