Police in Georgia used water cannons and pepper spray on Saturday to disperse protesters attempting to breach the presidential palace during a municipal election boycotted by the main opposition groups. Demonstrators in Tbilisi gathered in large numbers to denounce what they see as oppressive measures by the ruling party, Georgian Dream, accusing it of veering away from democratic values towards alignment with Russia.
Carrying Georgian flags and advocating for EU membership, protesters expressed discontent over Georgian Dream’s decision to halt EU accession talks, leading to a series of protests marked by arrests and police brutality following disputed election results. Despite government crackdowns targeting demonstrators, rights organizations, NGOs, and independent media outlets, rallies persist, drawing parallels to restrictive laws in Russia under President Vladimir Putin.
“We are fighting for our rights and independence,” protester Sophio Asatiani emphasized, rejecting a return to Soviet-era dominance from Moscow. Organizers, led by opera singer Paata Burchuladze, urged demonstrators to reclaim power, reflecting widespread frustration with a government accused of imprisoning opposition figures, curbing media freedom, and using force against peaceful protests.
Following the boycotted election, some protesters attempted to breach the presidential palace entrance, resulting in clashes with riot police. The opposition had envisioned a “peaceful revolution,” with turnout figures indicating low participation. Political analyst Giorgi Rukhadze dismissed the election as a charade, advocating for civil disobedience as a means to challenge Georgian Dream’s grip on power.
Georgian police cited violations of public assembly laws during the ongoing rally without specifying details. Despite the Central Election Commission reporting no major disruptions after polls closed, concerns arose over the absence of major international monitoring groups, attributing their non-attendance to recent repressive laws and deteriorating political and legal conditions in Georgia.
