TRANSCRIPT
As night falls in Georgia, these are the sounds echoing through the streets of Tbilisi [[tuh-buh-lee-see]].
For the fourth consecutive night, protesters have faced off against Georgian police.
Protester Mariam Tskitishvli says the reason why is straighforward.
"Very simple reason, it's just the fact that my country deserves to be free from the Russian regime that has haunted us for many centuries and I believe that we need to get into Europe. It's truly what we've wanted for many, many centuries."
Formerly part of the Soviet Union, Georgia has since leaned strongly towards Europe and the West.
Last year, it became an official candidate for EU membership and has been promised eventual NATO membership too.
However, the country has been plunged into crisis since the governing Georgian Dream party said on Thursday it was halting European Union accession talks for the next four years.
Since 2012, Georgia has been governed by Georgian Dream, a party which critics, including the US, say has tried to move the country away from the E-U and closer to Russia.
The party claimed victory in the country's elections last month but opposition MPs are boycotting the new parliament alleging fraud.
On Thursday, the European Parliament backed a resolution describing the election as the latest stage in what it says is Georgia's "worsening democratic crisis."
Since then, Georgian media has reported protests in at least eight cities and towns across the country.
Hundreds of diplomats and civil servants have also signed open letters saying the suspension of EU talks is unlawful as the goal of joining the bloc is enshrined in Georgia's constitution.
Another protester, Nikoloz Miruashvili, says he's frustrated with the government.
"I'm here for a very simple reason, to defend my European future and the democracy of my country. We've attended elections and it was clearly rigged and we've done everything in our power so far to show that we desire a European future. So right now we're going to defend ourselves, our country, our people and most importantly our future."
President Salome Zourabichvili, who supports joining the EU, has asked the Constitutional Court to annul the election results.
Ms Zourabichvilli's term will end this month, although she says she will not step aside until the elections are rerun.
[["No one is willing to accept a Russified Georgia, a Georgia deprived of its constitution, or a Georgia in the hands of an illegitimate government and parliament."]]
However, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze says the President will have to leave her post no matter what.
He's rejected calls to hold new elections and accused protesters of falling for what he calls lies from the opposition.
"We have not suspended anything related to the European integration. It's just a lie and there are opposition leaders, there are the media outlets linked to the opposition, who are just lying to these people. But nobody has suspended European integration for Georgia, we are very much committed to the European integration."
As tension escalates, so too does the violence.
Protesters have condemned the police response as excessive which has included the use of tear gas and water cannons.
So far, it's reported forty-four people have been hospitalised during the protests including protesters, police and journalists.
About 150 demonstrators have been arrested.
The US says it's suspending a strategic partnership with Tbilisi, condemning the use of excessive force.
Georgia's prime minister has dismissed the move as temporary and says he will instead focus on the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump.
Meanwhile, Russia is following developments closely.
In a statement on Telegram, Security official Dmitry Medvedev says Georgia is "moving rapidly along the Ukrainian path", into what he describes as the "dark abyss".
Mr Medvedev adds that from his perspective that "this sort of thing ends very badly".
