Photo used for representational purposes. Anti-government demonstrators take photographs of a coffin containing an image depicting Georgian billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili as it burns after being set on fire during the twelfth consecutive day of mass protests against the government's postponement of EU accession talks until 2028, in central Tbilisi on December 9, 2024. Photo by Giorgi ARJEVANIDZE / AFP
Brussels, Belgium: European Union foreign ministers meeting next week will discuss punishing Georgia's authorities after what Brussels called "credible concerns" of torture against pro-EU demonstrators, Brussels said Tuesday.
"The persistent democratic backslide and the recent repressive means used by Georgian authorities have consequences for our bilateral relations. The EU will consider additional measures," a statement said.
Riot police have used tear gas and water cannons against largely peaceful demonstrators rallying in Georgia for the past 12 days over the government's decision to shelve its push to join the EU.
The country's pro-Western opposition and the president rejected the ruling Georgian Dream party's claimed victory in October 26 parliamentary polls, while tens of thousands have taken to the streets against alleged electoral fraud.
"Over 400 individuals have been detained, and more than 300 have reportedly suffered violence and ill-treatment, many requiring urgent medical care," the EU said.
It added that there were "credible concerns of torture and inhuman treatment" and called for the allegations of "widespread violations of human rights" to be investigated.
"The EU deplores these repressive actions against protesters, media representatives and opposition leaders and calls for the immediate release of all detained individuals," it said.
"The EU demands an end to widespread intimidation, political persecution, reported torture and ill-treatment of citizens."
'Completely nonsensical'
EU foreign ministers will gather for their regular meeting in Brussels on Monday.
But the 27 member states may struggle to come to an agreement on targeting Georgia's leaders given Hungary's strong backing for the authorities.
Hungary's nationalist leader Viktor Orban -- a staunch supporter of Georgia's government -- denounced a proposal from Brussels to sanction Georgia's interior minister and two senior police officials as "completely nonsensical", "outrageous" and "unjustified".
"If such a proposal is made, we will, of course, veto it, of that everyone can be sure," Hungary's foreign minister Peter Szijjarto said, after holding talks with his Georgian counterpart Maka Bochorishvili in Budapest.
European lawmakers have called for sanctions against key Georgian Dream figures, including the billionaire former premier Bidzina Ivanishvili who is widely believed to pull the strings of power.
And already in June, the EU said that Georgia's bid for membership in the bloc had "de facto" been frozen after the government pushed through Kremlin-style laws targeting NGOs.
