Police in Georgia have arrested five people after clashes with anti-government protesters trying to storm the presidential palace in the capital, Tbilisi.
During the confrontation, security forces deployed water cannons and pepper spray to disperse the crowds. Georgia has experienced ongoing unrest since last year's election, which was marred by accusations of being manipulated by the ruling Georgian Dream party, which paused discussions on EU membership.
The protest coincided with local elections, largely boycotted by opposition groups following a government crackdown on dissent. Georgian Dream secured majorities in every municipality, claiming over 80% of the vote.
Among those detained was opera singer Paata Burchuladze, one of the protest leaders, who called for the immediate arrest of senior officials from the ruling party. Both protesters and police reported injuries, with 21 police officers and six demonstrators requiring hospital treatment.
Waving Georgian and EU flags, tens of thousands of protesters marched through central Tbilisi, emphasizing that their aim was to 'save democracy' in the country. However, tensions escalated when a group of demonstrators made a move towards the presidential compound, prompting a swift police response.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze asserted that those responsible for the unrest would face consequences, describing the protesters' actions as an attempt to overthrow the government.
Many participants arrived equipped to evade identification, as they expressed fears of reprisals from the authorities. Georgia's activist community has faced widespread repression, with many opposition leaders imprisoned.
The protests aimed not only at political reform but also demanded the release of political prisoners and immediate parliamentary elections, reflecting a growing discontent with the current governance.
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