Police fire water cannon at Georgia protesters near presidential palace

In Tbilisi, protesters who attempted to storm the presidential palace in the country during municipal elections have been dispersed by Georgian riot police using tear gas, pepper spray, and water cannon.

The opposition groups, who had boycotted the election, called for a “peaceful revolution” against the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party, accusing it of authoritarianism and adopting pro-Russian policies, following the clashes on Saturday.

In what organizers described as a show of defiance against GD, thousands of people gathered in Freedom Square and Rustaveli Avenue and waved the EU and Georgian flags. Later, some erected barriers to the nearby streets, lit fires, and fought with riot police.

Witnesses claim that a group of demonstrators attempted to break through the fence in the evening as they marched toward the palace.

The rally was later declared unlawful by the ministry of internal affairs, claiming that it had “exceeded the norms set by law.” Then, using force, police resisted the protesters.

According to a report obtained by Reuters, protester Davit Mzhavanadze claimed that the current crisis was the result of “our pro-Russian and authoritarian government’s unwavering leadership.” I believe that this protest will continue until our government properly responds to these demands.

The ruling GD refuted allegations of vote-rigging, saying that it had taken control in every municipality in the nation’s 3. 7 million-person municipality. The party, which was founded by billionaire and former prime minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, denies being pro-Moscow. It claims to remain stable with Russia while announcing its intention to join the EU.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Georgia has seen its ties to Europe and the United States deteriorate, once thought to be one of the most pro-Western nations to emerge after the Soviet Union collapse. Following the disputed parliamentary election of last year, the government began holding talks with the European Union, halting any further negotiations.