Tbilisi: The Georgian government has charged five prominent protest leaders with plotting to overthrow the government following violent demonstrations in Tbilisi, as authorities vowed to make additional arrests in what they describe as an attempted coup.

The charges, announced by the Prosecutor General’s Office on Monday, come two days after large-scale protests erupted in the capital during local elections, which opposition parties had boycotted. Demonstrators gathered in Freedom Square and along Rustaveli Avenue, waving Georgian and European Union flags, before a group attempted to approach the presidential palace.

Riot police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowd, leaving at least 27 people injured, including security officers and protesters.

Those charged include opposition figures and activists such as Paata Burchuladze, Murtaz Zodelava, Irakli Nadiradze, Paata Manjgaladze, and retired Colonel Lasha Beridze. They face accusations of organizing violence and attempting to undermine the constitutional order, charges that could carry sentences of up to nine years in prison.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze condemned the demonstrations as an organized attempt to topple the government, claiming that foreign actors had supported the unrest. He accused the European Union of interfering in Georgian affairs and called on its representatives to clarify their stance. The Interior Ministry said investigations were continuing and warned that more arrests could follow.

Opposition leaders and rights groups have denounced the accusations as politically motivated, describing the crackdown as part of a broader effort to silence dissent. They argue that the demonstrations reflected growing frustration with the ruling Georgian Dream party, which has faced criticism for eroding democratic freedoms and moving the country closer to Russia.

The European Union dismissed allegations of meddling, reiterating its support for democratic principles and calling for restraint from both sides. Western observers have voiced increasing concern over Georgia’s political trajectory, citing the arrests, restrictions on civil society, and the suspension of EU accession talks last year.

The protests mark the latest escalation in Georgia’s ongoing political crisis, which has deepened since the 2024 parliamentary elections. The opposition continues to contest the legitimacy of the current government, while officials insist they are defending the nation against external and internal threats.
Analysts say the coming weeks will test the government’s ability to balance security with civil liberties, as tensions remain high and public distrust continues to grow.