Georgia PM Claims Protesters Plotted Failed Coup Attempt
(MENAFN) Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has accused demonstrators in the capital of orchestrating an attempted coup, following a contentious local election that saw the ruling Georgian Dream party claim an overwhelming victory.
Official data from the Central Election Commission showed Georgian Dream secured over 1.1 million votes—accounting for approximately 81.6% of the ballots cast in Saturday’s local elections. The vote was boycotted by several opposition parties, triggering renewed political unrest in the country.
In response to the results, thousands gathered in Tbilisi to protest what they allege was a rigged process. Demonstrators attempted to storm the Orbeliani Palace, the presidential residence, prompting law enforcement to deploy water cannons and pepper spray to break up the crowds.
According to a public broadcaster, five organizers of the rally were detained. A total of six protesters and 21 police officers were hospitalized during the confrontation.
At a Sunday briefing, Kobakhidze placed the size of the demonstration between 5,000 and 7,000 people, claiming it was a deliberate effort to unseat the government.
“They moved to action, began the overthrow attempt, it failed, and then they started distancing themselves from it,” Kobakhidze was quoted as saying by media.
The Prime Minister warned of consequences for all involved.
“However, of course, no one will escape responsibility. This includes political responsibility,” he stated, adding: “No one will remain unpunished.”
He went on to accuse EU Ambassador Paweł Herczyński of playing a role in the unrest, arguing the diplomat should take a clear stance against the protests.
“He should come out, distance himself and strictly condemn everything that is happening on the streets of Tbilisi. This is his direct responsibility in the context when we saw and directly heard statements of support for the attempt to overthrow the constitutional order,” Kobakhidze said.
Anti-government demonstrations have gripped Georgia since last October, when Georgian Dream claimed victory in a parliamentary election the opposition condemned as fraudulent.
The European Union has not yet responded to the latest allegations from Kobakhidze. However, in a July statement, the bloc's diplomatic service declared it “firmly rejects and condemns the disinformation and baseless accusations by the Georgian authorities regarding the EU’s role in Georgia” and criticized “personal attacks” on Herczyński.
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