Georgian Demonstrators Try to Breach Tbilisi President's Residence
Law enforcement in Georgia have engaged with opposition demonstrators attempting to breach the head of state's residence in the capital, Tbilisi.
Riot police used water cannons and pepper spray to disperse the protesters.
The Caucasus country has been experiencing turmoil since the ruling incumbent party claimed victory in the previous year's parliamentary election, which the EU-supporting protest movement says was stolen. Since then, the government has suspended talks on joining the EU.
The protest took place on the identical day as municipal polls, which the protest groups is predominantly boycotting following a state crackdown. One organiser had earlier called for officials of the ruling party to be arrested.
Waving Georgian and European Union banners, a large crowd of protesters proceeded in central Tbilisi on the weekend.
One of the organisers, vocalist Paata Burchuladze, read out a statement urging the staff of the ministry of internal affairs to heed the will of the public and to without delay arrest six high-ranking members from the Georgian Dream party.
Protesters then marched on the president's office and attempted to enter the premises, leading to security forces to deploy pepper spray.
The demonstration comes after a crackdown on protesters, free press and opposition groups in recent months, with the majority of the figureheads of the Western-aligned opposition now in prison.
