By Davit Kachkachishvili and Alperen Aktas
TBILISI, Georgia / ISTANBUL (AA) - At least 21 police officers and 6 protesters were injured in violent clashes during protests in Georgia's capital, Tbilisi, according to the Health Ministry on Saturday.
Protests in central Tbilisi escalated into clashes on Saturday as demonstrators stormed the courtyard of the Orbeliani Presidential Palace after the ruling party declared victory in local elections.
The demonstrations began following local elections, which the opposition used as an opportunity to call for the restoration of Georgia’s suspended commitment to European integration.
Georgia's Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze accused protesters of attempting to overthrow the government by rejecting local elections, adding that their attempt to storm the Presidential Palace had failed.
He warned that anyone resorting to illegal means to overthrow the government would receive a "strong response" from the state.
Several dozen protesters entered the palace grounds before being pushed back by police using tear gas. Despite this, the demonstrators made repeated attempts to breach the compound, prompting the Internal Affairs Ministry to deploy additional forces to the area.
Police later used a water cannon and pepper spray to disperse crowds outside the palace.
The protesters accuse the ruling Georgian Dream party of backtracking under what they describe as Western interference in the country’s internal affairs.
Kobakhidze earlier said the ruling party was winning local elections nationwide, with more than 70% of the vote, including in Tbilisi. He thanked voters for their support, pledging that the government would “justify this trust through hard work.”