“Coup foiled”: Georgian Parliament Speaker thanks citizens for choosing ballot boxes over unrest

A coup attempt has been thwarted, said on Monday Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, extending his gratitude to law enforcement agencies and to the Georgian people for choosing the ballot box over unrest.

In his remarks, Papuashvili noted that the representatives of the ruling Georgian Dream party had been warning, including those abroad who were expressing support for the pre-announced rally aimed at overthrowing the Government.

“The coup was announced, it began, but it was swiftly foiled. I want to take this opportunity to thank our law enforcement agencies - the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the State Security Service, and the Special State Protection Service - who, at the risk of their own health and safety, managed to prevent violence. Twenty-five police officers were injured, two of them seriously. Those groups that had announced acts of violence, and their foreign supporters, did not even inquire about the condition of the injured officers. This shows a callous attitude among certain groups toward the peaceful development of our society”, the Speaker said.

He emphasised that while some attempted to incite unrest, the Georgian people made their choice through democratic means.

“The coup was foiled, and for that, we must thank both our law enforcement bodies and the Georgian people, who on October 4 chose not to gather at the announced time of the so-called coup, but instead went to polling stations to express their will through elections”, Papuashvili concluded.