In brief
In a dramatic escalation of anti-government sentiment, protesters in Tbilisi attempted to storm the presidential palace, resulting in violent clashes with police. Five arrests were made as security forces deployed water cannons and pepper spray to disperse the crowd. The unrest follows ongoing opposition to the ruling Georgian Dream party amid allegations of electoral fraud and a crackdown on dissent.
Police in Georgia have arrested five people after clashes with anti-government protesters trying to storm the presidential palace in the capital, Tbilisi.
Security forces used water cannons and pepper spray to disperse demonstrators.
The Caucasus country has been in crisis since the ruling Georgian Dream party claimed victory in last year's election, which the pro-European Union opposition says was stolen. Since then, the government has paused talks on joining the EU.
The protest took place on the same day as local elections, which the opposition is largely boycotting following a government crackdown. Georgian Dream won majorities in every municipality, with more than 80% of the vote.
Those arrested included opera singer Paata Burchuladze, one of the protest organizers. Earlier, he read out a declaration urging the employees of the ministry of internal affairs to obey the will of the people and to immediately arrest six senior figures from the Georgian Dream party.
The government reported that 21 police officers and six protesters were taken to hospital with injuries. Waving Georgian and EU flags, tens of thousands of protesters marched in central Tbilisi on Saturday.
Demonstrators marched on the presidential palace and attempted to enter the compound, prompting riot police to use pepper spray. The demonstration follows a crackdown on activists, independent media, and political opposition in recent months, with many leaders of the pro-Western opposition now behind bars.
On Sunday, Georgia's Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated that no one will go unpunished after the alleged attempt to overthrow the government.
Twenty-one-year-old Ia and her friends attended the rally wearing black, helmets, and gas masks, unsure of how the protest would unfold due to installed AI surveillance cameras in the area.
Hundreds of protesters have been penalized with significant fines for what authorities classify as illegal actions of blocking streets. Many voiced their desire for the ruling party to be replaced and insisted on freedom for their imprisoned associates.
Events turned violent when some protesters attempted to breach the presidential compound. Eyewitnesses recounted chaotic scenes as police deployed tear gas and conducted arrests.
The protests in Tbilisi have intensified following the government's decision to halt talks on EU membership, as citizens demand the release of political prisoners and call for snap parliamentary elections.
