Protesters take to the streets in Georgia over local election protests: Police use pepper spray

Following a call by the opposition to protest the local elections held today, tens of thousands of demonstrators carrying Georgian and European Union (EU) flags flocked to Freedom Square in Tbilisi.

In Freedom Square, where a large number of police forces were deployed, protesters were seen building barricades and setting them on fire.

After Murtaz Zodeleva, a member of the United National Movement (UNM) and one of the rally organizers, announced at Freedom Square that the people would take back the Presidential Palace, a crowd of demonstrators began to march.

POLICE INTERVENE WITH WATER CANNONS AND PEPPER SPRAY

Riot police intervened against demonstrators on Atoneli Street near the Presidential Palace with water cannons and pepper spray. Police forces also intervened against protesters who attempted to forcibly enter the Presidential Palace complex minutes before the polls closed in the local elections. Police used pepper spray to disperse the demonstrators there.

GEORGIAN PRIME MINISTER: FOREIGN AGENTS WILL BE NEUTRALIZED

In his statement regarding the protests, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said, "Following today's riots, all foreign agents in Georgia will be neutralized. Protesters identified as attempting to storm the Presidential Palace have committed crimes."

GEORGIAN DREAM PARTY DECLARES VICTORY

In the local elections, which eight parties boycotted, the Georgian Dream party declared victory via a message on social media, while some protesters marched to the headquarters of the ruling Georgian Dream party. Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze of the Georgian Dream party described the events on Atoneli Street as a "direct coup attempt." Kaladze also stated that those responsible would receive the necessary response.

SUPPORT FOR PROTESTERS FROM MOLDOVA

Moldovan President Maia Sandu expressed her support for the pro-Western protesters in a message posted on social media regarding the events, writing, "Our thoughts are with the people of Georgia who are standing up for their freedom and their future in Europe. Democracy cannot be silenced. Moldova stands with you."

The ruling Georgian Dream party, which is accused of being pro-Russian, has been the target of pro-Western protests since winning the parliamentary elections last October. The protests intensified particularly after the Georgian Dream announced about 10 months ago that it would halt the country's EU integration process.

Opponents, who argue that the general elections held last year were fraudulent, accuse the Georgian Dream government of passing laws that restrict civil society and imprisoning numerous activists and political rivals to suppress the months-long protests.

The expectation that Brussels might decide to end the visa-free travel regime that Georgian citizens have enjoyed since 2017 has also caused tensions between the government and the opposition to rise in the country.

Imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili had called on the Georgian opposition to protest, arguing that October 4, the day of the local elections, was the "last chance" to save the country.

In a message he posted on social media last Thursday, Saakashvili said, "There are moments when one must act immediately. For freedom, it is either now or never."

News Source: 12punto