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 the hospital with injuries. Waving Georgian and EU flags, tens of thousands of protesters marched in central Tbilisi. Demonstrators attempted to enter the presidential palace compound, prompting riot police to respond with pepper spray.
The demonstration follows a crackdown on activists, independent media, and political opposition, with many pro-Western opposition leaders imprisoned. Georgia's Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated that no one will go unpunished after what he claimed was an attempted overthrow of the government.
Protesters expressed their grievances, with many dressed in black, donning helmets and gas masks to avoid identification. A 21-year-old protester named Ia indicated the ruling party's lack of support for the people, calling it the Russian Dream due to its perceived alignment with Russian interests. The protest coincided with municipal elections which were largely boycotted by the opposition due to suppression and imprisonment of its leaders.
Tensions surged as protesters called for political prisoners' release and snap elections, challenging the government's authority amidst ongoing demonstrations aimed at preserving democracy in Georgia.
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 the hospital with injuries. Waving Georgian and EU flags, tens of thousands of protesters marched in central Tbilisi. Demonstrators attempted to enter the presidential palace compound, prompting riot police to respond with pepper spray.
The demonstration follows a crackdown on activists, independent media, and political opposition, with many pro-Western opposition leaders imprisoned. Georgia's Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated that no one will go unpunished after what he claimed was an attempted overthrow of the government.
Protesters expressed their grievances, with many dressed in black, donning helmets and gas masks to avoid identification. A 21-year-old protester named Ia indicated the ruling party's lack of support for the people, calling it the Russian Dream due to its perceived alignment with Russian interests. The protest coincided with municipal elections which were largely boycotted by the opposition due to suppression and imprisonment of its leaders.
Tensions surged as protesters called for political prisoners' release and snap elections, challenging the government's authority amidst ongoing demonstrations aimed at preserving democracy in Georgia.
