Clashes Erupt at Kaladze's Campaign HQ in Tbilisi

Harsh clashes have occurred in Tbilisi between participants of a pro-European protest and representatives of the youth wing of the ruling "Georgian Dream" party. Several incidents took place during a demonstration organized near the campaign headquarters of the current mayor, Kakha Kaladze. The ruling party has nominated him again as a candidate for the local self-government elections to be held on October 4.

The clashes began with verbal insults and escalated into physical violence. The police have cordoned off Kaladze's headquarters. The demonstrators continued to chant "You are slaves of the Russians" directed at the supporters of the ruling party.

The situation in Tbilisi escalated on the evening of September 8. A large-scale protest took place near Kaladze's headquarters, during which incidents were recorded. Numerous videos from the scene show representatives of the "Georgian Dream" party's youth wing attacking participants of the pro-European rally. According to the protesters, they were carrying rubber batons, and some threw metal barriers at the demonstrators. As in previous days, party representatives, including staff from the headquarters, openly insulted the peaceful protesters while standing at the doors of the headquarters.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs has stated that the police managed to prevent the escalation of the situation between the participants of the rally near Kaladze's campaign headquarters at an initial stage. It was announced that an investigation has been launched under Article 126, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Georgia, on charges of "committing violence in a group." The MIA has called on all participants of the demonstrations to express their positions in the manner prescribed by law, warning that otherwise, the police will take measures.

The publication Publica has issued a statement of protest regarding the clashes near Kaladze's campaign headquarters. The authors of the protest claim that representatives of the "Georgian Dream" party attacked two journalists from the publication, Aleksandre Keshelashvili and Keto Mikadze, and took their phones.

New clashes are not ruled out in the capital of Georgia. A rally has been announced for the evening of September 9 on Melikishvili Avenue in Tbilisi, near the campaign headquarters of Mayor Kakha Kaladze.

It is recalled that most of the Georgian opposition is boycotting the October 4 elections, declaring the authorities illegitimate and demanding new parliamentary elections. Only three opposition political forces have announced their participation in the municipal elections: "Lelo-Strong Georgia," "For Georgia-Gakharia," and "Girchi."