Georgian authorities have pressed charges against five opposition figures, accusing them of attempting to overthrow the government following violent protests in Tbilisi on Saturday. The protests, which escalated into clashes between demonstrators and riot police, took place on the day of local elections that saw a significant boycott from the largest opposition parties.
The opposition rally, described as a “peaceful revolution” by its leaders, took a dramatic turn when a group of protesters tried to storm the presidential palace. Riot police responded by using gas and water cannon to disperse the crowd. The five men charged face up to nine years in prison, with authorities labeling the protests as an attempt to seize power, reports Reuters.
While protests in Georgia have lessened in recent months, regular nightly demonstrations continue in central Tbilisi. The opposition, accusing the ruling Georgian Dream party of authoritarianism, argues that the government is moving the country closer to Russia, a claim that the ruling party rejects. In October 2024, Georgian Dream secured a parliamentary victory that the opposition deemed fraudulent, despite government assertions that the election was free and fair.
Under the Georgian Dream administration, relations with Western nations have deteriorated, with the ruling party freezing EU accession talks in November. Although Georgian Dream maintains it still aspires to join the EU, it also seeks to preserve strong ties with Russia while promoting traditional Orthodox Christian values.
Billionaire ex-prime minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, who is widely believed to control the party, remains a controversial figure, with the U.S. imposing sanctions on him for allegedly promoting Russian interests. Georgian authorities have indicated that more arrests related to the protests are imminent.
