Protests Shake Tbilisi After Municipal Elections
(MENAFN) Massive demonstrations broke out late Saturday in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, following the municipal elections conducted nationwide.
Protesters forcefully entered the presidential palace grounds, clashing with police officers who responded with pepper spray and water cannons to control the unrest.
The elections faced a partial boycott from the opposition, which had previously vowed to initiate a “peaceful revolution.”
According to early results, the ruling Georgian Dream party secured a commanding lead across the country, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze reported.
Disturbing video footage from the scene reveals protesters climbing over the presidential palace fence and tearing down parts of its structure.
The crowd was met by a large contingent of police in full riot gear, who used batons, pepper spray, and tear gas to manage the disorderly gathering.
Additional confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement took place outside the palace as well.
Authorities deployed several water cannon vehicles to disperse the protesters, who attempted to build barricades on the streets.
Among the crowd, flags representing the EU, Ukraine, and a version of the Georgian flag colored in Ukrainian hues were visible.
Once protestors were pushed off the presidential palace grounds, groups of masked individuals were seen attacking nearby cafes and other establishments, vandalizing property by smashing windows, destroying furniture, and setting fires.
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