Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze blamed the unrest in the capital on EU Ambassador to Tbilisi Pavel Gerchinsky. The prime minister believes it was the diplomat’s duty to strongly condemn the protests, according to Georgian television channel 1TV.
Kobakhidze stated that some foreign representatives, including an EU official, directly supported the attempt to overthrow the constitutional order in the country.
Protests in Tbilisi began on the evening of October 4. Fourteen police officers were injured in the clashes. The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs has opened a criminal investigation into attacks on police officers, calls for violent change of government, property damage, and an attempt to seize a strategic facility.
On October 4, local government elections were held in Georgia. Citizens voted for mayors and members of local advisory bodies (sakrebulos) in 64 cities and districts. Eight opposition parties withdrew from the elections. The exceptions were the Strong Georgia – Lelo and Gakharia – For Georgia parties. According to the Central Election Commission, after processing 98.1% of the votes, the ruling Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia party received 70.1% of the vote. Tbilisi mayoral candidate Kakha Kaladze led with 71.6%.
