10 years on from November 2007 political crisis in Georgia

Ten years have passed since the people of Georgia experienced a day regarded as the worst political crisis in Georgia in the past decade.

On November 7, 2007 a series of anti-government protests took place across Georgia and ended with protesters being dispersed by police who used tear gas and water cannons.

A total of 508 people were taken to hospital when riot police dispersed thousands of protesters in various parts of capital Tbilisi.

An opposition supporter speaks to police during a rally in front of Parliament Building in Tbilisi on November 7, 2007. Photo from REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili

Demonstrations

Demonstrations started on September 28, 2007. It peaked on November 2 when up to 100,000 people gathered in front of Parliament Building in central Tbilisi. Protesters urged then-president Mikheil Saakashvili to step down. The protests were organised by a coalition involving major oppositional political parties.

At the time Saakashvili accused the Russian Secret Service of being involved in an attempted coup d’etat. He declared a nationwide state of emergency that lasted for 15 days.

Protesters clash with police during a rally in front of Parliament Building in Tbilisi on November 7, 2007. Photo from REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili

Attack on TV company

Earlier on November 7, 2007, riot police attacked Tbilisi-based Imedi TV while a news program was being broadcast live on air. Police officers in masks and carrying assault rifles were seen sealing off the office. The broadcaster, which the then-government claimed was biased and pro-opposition, was subsequently switched off.

Early elections

The next day Saakashvili announced an early Presidential Election for January 5, 2008, as a compromise to the solution.

International evaluation

When photos of the rally dispersal spread around the world, the international society criticised Saakashvili’s government for using heavy-handed tactics against protesters.

They evaluated November 2007 as the worst political crisis in Georgia since the Rose Revolution in 2003.

PM Kvirikashvili's Facebook post. The caption says: "It will never repeat!" 

Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili posted a picture of the rally dispersal on his Facebook page this afternoon with the caption that such thing will never happen again in the country.