Mass protests in Georgia began after the pro-Russian Georgian Dream party declared victory in the elections and suspended the country’s efforts to join the European Union, Fox News writes in an article about Georgia.

“Everyday Georgians who are still braving freezing temperatures and allegations of violence by the authorities are looking at their peers fighting for democracy in Iran and seeing their own struggle playing out against a corrupt and unpopular regime,” the article states.

The Fox News article on Georgia also cites comments from former Defense Minister Tinatin Khidasheli.

“When you walk through the demonstrations every day in Tbilisi, all people talk about is Iran. The heated debate over it shows how much it matters and how optimism is out on the streets due to developments despite controversies.

Developments in Iran resonate in a very human way: if people can challenge a far more despotic and violent regime, it reinforces the belief that resistance in Georgia is not futile,” Khidasheli said.

Fox News also notes that mass protests in Georgia began after the “pro-Russian Georgian Dream party” declared victory in the elections and halted Georgia’s efforts to join the European Union.