Georgia’s prime minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, has announced a huge crackdown on dissent after police clashed with anti-government protesters trying to storm the presidential palace in the capital, Tbilisi. At least five people were arrested as security forces used water cannons and pepper spray to disperse demonstrators.
The ex-Soviet republic has been in crisis since the ruling pro-Russian Georgian Dream party claimed victory in last year’s election, which the pro-EU opposition said was stolen. This week, the country has been facing elections to appoint municipal councils and city mayors, but many opposition parties have refused to take part, instead declaring Saturday (October 4) the beginning of the “liberation of the Georgian people from the pro-Russian regime”. In the end, Georgian Dream won majorities in every municipality, with more than 80% of the vote. Now, Mr Kobakhidze has accused demonstrators who tried to storm the presidential palace of aiming to topple his government and blaming the EU for interfering in his country.
“No one will escape responsibility. This includes political responsibility,” the prime minister said, according to the Georgian news agency, Interpress.
Officers detained at least five demonstrators, including two members of the United National Movement – the largest opposition party – and the opera singer turned activist Paata Burchuladze, who earlier in the day 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 said 21 police officers and six protesters were taken to hospital with injuries. According to the BBC, tens of thousands of protesters marched in central Tbilisi on Saturday, armed with Georgian and EU flags. Hundreds of protesters have been punished with 5,000 Georgian lari (£1,362) fines for what the authorities consider an illegal act of “blocking the streets”.
The most recent demonstration comes after a crackdown on activists, independent media and political opposition in the last few months, with most of the leaders of the pro-Western opposition now behind bars.
Known colloquially as the Kotsebi, Georgian Dream has become increasingly Eurosceptic and has been accused by its opponents of having an anti-Western and pro-Russian foreign policy – allegations which the party has denied. It has also passed legislation considered by the US and EU as contradicting the EU and NATO membership policies. Last year, the US sanctioned leading Georgian Dream officials for “undermining democracy” and “violating human rights, and working for the benefit of the Russian Federation”.
Earlier this week, local sources claimed that authorities have shown that they were ready to use all the tools of violence at their disposal, and, if necessary, use Russian assistance. According to a well-known Georgian journalist and blogger, Tengo Gogotishvili, fighters from the Russian special police unit “Akhmat”, as well as “athletes” from Dagestan and North Ossetia, were expected to attend the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) World Championship, held on the eve of the elections in Tbilisi.
“They were told that Georgian athletes should be beaten in the ring, and pro-Western protesters should be beaten at a rally,” Mr Gogotishvili was told by one Chechen security officer.