Anti-government protests escalated in Tbilisi, Georgia, resulting in clashes between demonstrators and police near the presidential palace. The unrest stems from allegations by the pro-EU opposition regarding the fairness of last year’s parliamentary election results.
On Saturday, tens of thousands of individuals marched through central Tbilisi. A declaration read by protest organizer Paata Burchuladze called for the Ministry of Internal Affairs to comply with “the will of the people” and arrest six senior figures from the ruling Georgian Dream party. Following this, some demonstrators proceeded to the presidential palace on Atoneli Street, where attempts to enter the compound led to riot police deploying pepper spray.
The confrontations resulted in injuries, with 21 police officers and six protesters requiring hospital treatment. Protest organizer Paata Burchuladze was arrested. Demonstrators have maintained nightly protests in Tbilisi since November, advocating for snap parliamentary elections and the release of political prisoners. Hundreds of protesters have also been fined for activities authorities deem illegal, such as street-blocking.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/world/georgia-presidential-palace-protests-election-boycott-10288524/