Prosecutors in Georgia have charged five prominent opposition figures with attempting to overthrow the government, following violent clashes in the capital on Saturday that authorities described as an attempted coup.

The charges, announced Monday, stem from protests that erupted during local elections boycotted by major opposition parties. If convicted, the accused could face up to nine years in prison.

According to officials, demonstrators gathered in central Tbilisi in a rally where some opposition leaders called for a “peaceful revolution.” The situation escalated when a smaller group reportedly attempted to storm the presidential palace just before polls closed. Riot police swiftly responded with tear gas and water cannons, dispersing the crowd.

Government Calls It an Attempted Power Grab

Authorities labeled the protest an orchestrated effort to seize power through unrest, and warned that additional arrests are likely. The Ministry of Internal Affairs claimed to have obtained evidence showing that the accused were “actively coordinating” the attempted breach.

The weekend’s violence marks a fresh flashpoint in a country already reeling from more than a year of sustained anti-government demonstrations. Opposition supporters accuse the ruling Georgian Dream party of democratic backsliding and aligning too closely with Russia—a charge the party denies.

Despite a decline in turnout, protesters continue to block Rustaveli Avenue, the capital’s central boulevard, with nightly demonstrations.

The unrest follows Georgian Dream’s controversial victory in the October 2024 parliamentary elections, which opposition groups claim were fraudulent. International observers delivered mixed assessments, while Georgian authorities maintain the vote was fair.

Western Ties Fray as Russia Influence Debate Intensifies

Georgia’s relationship with its Western partners has grown increasingly strained under the current government. In November, the Georgian Dream-led administration suspended talks on European Union accession, a key national aspiration since the country’s independence.

The ruling party insists it is not pro-Russian and says it is committed to eventually joining the EU while preserving peaceful ties with Moscow and defending what it calls Georgia’s traditional Orthodox Christian values.

Critics argue that the party’s actions suggest otherwise, pointing to the influence of billionaire ex-prime minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, widely seen as the party’s unofficial leader. Ivanishvili was recently sanctioned by the United States for allegedly promoting Russian interests in the region.

As political tensions intensify and the opposition vows continued resistance, Georgia’s fragile democracy faces its most serious test in over a decade.