05/10/2025
🇬🇪 Mass Uprising in Georgia: Protesters Storm Presidential Palace, Police Use Water Cannons to Disperse Crowd
Tbilisi, October 4, 2025:
A massive public uprising shook the Georgian capital Tbilisi on Saturday as thousands of demonstrators marched toward the Orbeliani Presidential Palace, accusing the government of election rigging and undermining democracy.
What began as a peaceful demonstration quickly turned into chaos when protesters broke through police barricades and attempted to enter the presidential compound.
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🔥 What Happened
Protesters accused the ruling party of manipulating local elections, silencing opposition voices, and moving Georgia closer to Russia while drifting away from European democratic values.
Several groups reached the gates of the presidential palace, some even breaching its outer courtyard before being pushed back by riot police.
To control the escalating crowd, police deployed water cannons, pepper spray, and tear gas.
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🛡️ Police Response
Law enforcement sealed off major access routes leading to the palace.
Dozens of protesters were detained, and several people were reported injured.
Heavy security forces have been deployed across key areas of Tbilisi.
According to eyewitnesses, the clashes lasted for several hours before order was restored late in the evening.
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🗣️ Protesters’ Demands
Protest leaders declared that the government had “stolen the people’s mandate.”
In a symbolic gesture, some demonstrators demanded “the keys to the presidential palace,” claiming that power should return to the citizens.
> “We want our democracy back — not Russian control!” shouted one protest leader.
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⚖️ Political Background
Georgia’s ruling party has long faced criticism for allegedly steering the country away from the European Union and aligning more closely with Moscow.
The current uprising is being described by many as the beginning of a “Peaceful Revolution” to restore democratic order and free elections.