Georgian PM: attempted violent power grab by collective United National Movement opposition failed despite EU spokesperson’s support

A planned attempt by the collective United National Movement opposition to return to power through a violent revolution has been thwarted, despite open support for the revolution from an EU spokesperson, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said on Wednesday.

In his remarks, Kobakhidze noted that between 5,000 and 7,000 radicals had gathered for a rally aimed at overthrowing the government, However, thanks to preemptive measures and the highly effective response of the police forces, the fifth attempt at a revolution in the past four years was prevented.

Kobakhidze added that while from the outside everything appeared to proceed smoothly, his Government had put in place robust preventative measures, and these made it easier to deal with the severe unrest directed at the President’s residence and against police officers.

He emphasised that there had been ambitious, radical plans by the opposition, with the declared goal of toppling the government.

According to him, the plotters intended, among other actions, to take over the President’s residence and then move on to other locations.

“In reality, there were plans - ambitious plans - on the part of the radical opposition. The goal was stated: the overthrow of the government. As you can see, 5-7 thousand radicals had arrived at the rally to overthrow the government. They had specific plans, including moving to other locations once they had seized the President’s palace. That was their plan. However, first the preventative measures enabled us to avoid their scenario and then directly the police acted extremely effectively, and ultimately we avoided the fifth attempt at revolution in these four years”, he concluded.