Tbilisi authorities apprehend at least 16 demonstrators during a public gathering opposing a disputed parliamentary panel

In the heart of Tbilisi, the capital city of Georgia, protests erupted against the work of Georgian Dream's anti-opposition parliamentary commission. The commission, established by the Georgian Parliament, was investigating the responsibility of the former ruling United National Movement (UNM) for the Russo-Georgian War that took place in 2008.

The commission, composed of members of Georgian Dream and its satellite party, People's Power, was initially mandated to examine the UNM's years in government (2003-2012). However, its scope was later expanded to cover the period up to the present day. The commission completed its work in August and presented a report, said to span 471 pages, that Georgian Dream representatives openly stated had been started by Georgia's then-government.

Critics of Georgian Dream, including family members of fallen soldiers of the Georgian Army, some current and former military personnel, and opposition politicians, have expressed outrage over the commission's suggestions of Georgia's responsibility for the 2008 war. They argue that the commission's rhetoric downplays Russia's responsibility for the conflict.

On a specific day, demonstrators gathered at the rear entrance of parliament during a plenary session. As the day progressed, the protesters moved to Rustaveli Avenue, where police made at least 16 detentions. Nine demonstrators were tried and sentenced to varying prison terms at Tbilisi City Court on the same day. The protesters later marched onto the entrance used by ruling party lawmakers, shouting at them as they left the building.

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However, the controversy surrounding the parliamentary commission's findings has not subsided. Critics of the commission's conclusions, including those who place blame on the former ruling UNM party, have raised concerns about the commission's impartiality and its potential to further polarise the political landscape in Georgia. The commission's work and other parliamentary activities have been carried out by Georgian Dream amid an opposition boycott of parliament, allowing the ruling party and its allies to exercise full control over the legislative body.

As the region continues to evolve, the debate surrounding the Russo-Georgian War and the role of the former ruling party in the conflict remains a contentious issue in Georgian politics. The protests, detentions, and ongoing controversy serve as a reminder of the complex and sensitive nature of this historical event and its impact on the present day.