The number of individuals detained in connection with the October 4 protests in Tbilisi has risen to 35, says the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs. The latest arrests were announced during a late-night briefing on October 8, bringing the total number of detainees to 35.
The detained individuals are accused of participating in or organizing the unrest that occurred during the municipal elections. Prosecutors have charged five opposition leaders with attempting to overthrow the government, a crime that carries up to nine years in prison. The Interior Ministry’s investigation has identified that the detained individuals, along with rally organizers, tore down fences near the presidential palace and attempted to breach the palace grounds.
Among those arrested were prominent opposition figures, including opera singer Paata Burchuladze and members of the United National Movement (UNM), such as Murtaz Zodelava and Irakli Nadiradze. These individuals were placed in pretrial detention on October 7. The Interior Ministry has indicated that further arrests may follow as the investigation continues.
The October 4 protests were part of ongoing demonstrations against the ruling Georgian Dream party, which opposition groups accuse of authoritarianism and pro-Russian tendencies. The protests coincided with local elections that were boycotted by major opposition parties. Clashes between protesters and riot police resulted in injuries to both law enforcement officers and demonstrators.
The government’s response to the protests has drawn criticism from human rights organizations, which have expressed concerns about the suppression of dissent and the erosion of democratic freedoms in Georgia.
Header image: Protesters react to tear gas during an opposition rally on the day of local elections in Tbilisi, Georgia October 4, 2025. REUTERS/Irakli Gedenidze
