Overview

• Riot police used water cannon, tear gas and pepper spray to push back protesters who tried to enter the presidential palace during municipal elections in Georgia.
• Authorities detained five activists, including opera singer Paata Burchuladze, on accusations of calling for a violent overthrow and organizing group violence, with possible prison terms of up to nine years.
• The Health Ministry reported 21 security personnel and six demonstrators injured in the capital’s clashes near the palace.
• The ruling Georgian Dream party said it won every municipality; election authorities reported sweeping council majorities as international monitoring was limited and turnout lagged in parts of the country.
• Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze vowed further arrests as the State Security Service alleged a foiled coup, citing a seized weapons cache and claims of foreign intelligence involvement under investigation.