In Georgia, law enforcement agencies detained five individuals involved in organizing protests in Tbilisi on the day of local elections. This information was reported by media outlets, including the television channel Rustavi 2.
Among those detained are: - Murtaz Zodelava, former Attorney General, member of the United National Movement party; - Irakli Nadiradze, also a representative of the UNM; - Paata Manjgaladze, Secretary-General of the Strategy Aghmashenebeli party; - Lasha Beridze, former Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces; - Paata Burchuladze, opera singer and founder of the Rustaveli Avenue movement.
They have been charged with public calls for the violent overthrow of the constitutional order or government, as well as organizing and participating in group violent actions. The maximum penalty for these charges reaches nine years in prison.
On the evening of October 4, participants of an anti-government rally attempted to breach the perimeter of President Mikhail Kavelashvili's residence. In response, special forces used water cannons, leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement.
According to Georgia's Ministry of Health, 21 police officers and six demonstrators were hospitalized. Among the injured was Paata Burchuladze—he was detained directly at the medical facility where he sought treatment after the rally.
On Saturday, municipal elections were held across the country, which were boycotted by several opposition groups. Candidates from the ruling Georgian Dream party secured victory nationwide, receiving between 70% and 91% of votes depending on the municipality. Overall voter turnout was 40.93%, with the lowest participation—31.08%—recorded in Tbilisi.