Скачать или смотреть GEORGIA: Drone footage shows huge crowds in Tbilisi amid protests over EU talks

Demonstrations over the Georgian ruling party’s decision to halt progress toward European Union membership was spreading beyond the capital on Monday, December 2.

Protests were held in regional towns and cities from Sunday evening, December 1, after a week of demonstrations centred in Tbilisi.

President Salome Zourabichvili has backed the protests. In a statement on Sunday, the president said the ruling Georgian Dream party’s moves amounted to Georgia “turning its back on Europe”.

Zourabichvili said that the October 26 poll that returned Georgian Dream to power had been “rigged” and demanded new elections.

Crowds took to the streets of other cities such as Batumi, Kutaisi, and Rustavi on Sunday, while the movement continued to draw huge numbers around the country's parliament in Tbilisi.

Journalists and civic activists said they had been targeted by police at protests in recent days, with some suffering injuries and having equipment damaged.

This footage, filmed by drone operator and photographer Ezz Gaber, showed the crowds gathering in Tbilisi on Monday.