Tens of thousands of protesters in Tbilisi, Georgia, clashed with security forces as they attempted to storm the presidential palace on Tuesday, demanding the arrest of senior officials from the ruling Georgian Dream party.
According to eyewitnesses, police used water cannons and pepper spray to disperse the demonstrators, arresting five people in the process. The protest took place on the same day as local elections, which the opposition is largely boycotting. The Caucasus country has been in crisis since the ruling Georgian Dream party claimed victory in last year's parliamentary election, which the pro-European Union opposition says was stolen.
The opposition claims that the government's victory in the 2022 election was illegitimate and has called for democratic reforms. "We demand justice and accountability from those responsible for electoral fraud," said Nika Melia, a leader of the opposition party, according to an interview with BBC World. The protest comes amid a broader crisis in Georgia, where talks on joining the EU have stalled following a government crackdown on activists and independent media.
The Georgian Dream party has been accused of suppressing dissent and limiting press freedom. According to Human Rights Watch, the government has arrested numerous opposition leaders and journalists, including Nika Melia, who was detained for allegedly inciting violence during protests in 2022. The organization has called on the government to release those detained and respect the rights of peaceful protesters.
The crisis in Georgia began after the ruling party claimed victory in last year's election, which the opposition says was marred by irregularities and vote-rigging. Since then, the government has paused talks on joining the EU, citing security concerns and the need for stability. However, many Georgians believe that the government is using these concerns as a pretext to consolidate power and suppress dissent.
As the situation in Tbilisi continues to unfold, it remains unclear what the next steps will be. The opposition has vowed to continue protesting until their demands are met, while the government has promised to maintain order and protect public safety. According to a statement from the Georgian Dream party, "We will not tolerate violence or attempts to undermine our authority."
The international community is watching the situation in Georgia closely, with many calling for restraint and respect for human rights. The EU has expressed concern over the crisis and has urged both sides to engage in dialogue and find a peaceful resolution.
In the meantime, protesters continue to gather outside the presidential palace, demanding justice and accountability from those responsible for electoral fraud. As one protester told BBC World, "We will not give up until our voices are heard and our rights are respected."
This story was compiled from reports by BBC World and BBC World.
