Georgia’s ruling party Sec Gen describes Presidential Palace intrusion as unconstitutional power grab attempt

Kakha Kaladze, the Mayor of Tbilisi and Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Thursday said the developments near the Presidential Palace on October 4 represented an attempted coup and an effort to overthrow the Georgian Government through unconstitutional means.

“For several months, we have been hearing discussions about a possible coup and the overthrow of the government. It seems that a certain group decided to put those plans into action. What we witnessed at the Presidential Palace was an attempt to carry out a coup and to remove the government by unconstitutional means”, Kaladze noted.

He emphasised that both he, the Prime Minister, and other members of the ruling team had repeatedly urged people not to take illegal steps.

“No matter what, these are citizens of our country. They may have different political views, but why should I be glad if someone ends up in prison? They decided to carry out this [attack on the Presidential Palace] - that is a crime, and the state is responding. Every perpetrator will be punished”, he concluded.

On October 4, large-scale protests in Tbilisi escalated into a dramatic confrontation, as a group of radical demonstrators tried to storm the presidential palace. The unrest occurred on the same day Georgia held municipal elections.

Authorities detained at least five opposition figures, including Paata Burchuladze. They are now facing charges of plotting to overthrow the government - a potential offense that could carry lengthy prison sentences.

Government officials described the events as a failed coup attempt orchestrated with foreign backing. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze called the protests “an attempted overthrow of the constitutional order”.