Georgian PM criticises European bureaucracy for failing to comment on October 4 overthrow

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday criticized the European bureaucracy for failing to comment on the events of October 4.

In his remarks, Kobakhidze noted that the European Commission, after the European Commission spokesperson directly supported the attempted overthrow of the Government, had more responsibility to condemn action taken by the protesters.

He further added that their silence spoke about the dire situation in European bureaucracy.

“The European Commission spokesperson directly supported the attempted overthrow, after which they had more responsibility to condemn the actual action taken by the protesters, I mean the attempted storming of the [presidential] palace, but even in this context they are silent, which generally speaks of the difficult situation in the European bureaucracy”, the PM said.

“What is most important is that the public properly appreciates it. The main thing is that this situation changes in the European bureaucracy. The European bureaucracy must somehow get out of this difficult situation”, 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”.