Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze is accusing the United States and the European Union of turning a blind eye to what he claims was a violent attempt to overthrow his government during the recent local elections. His comments come as tensions escalate between Georgia’s ruling party and its longtime Western allies.
“It’s been four days since a violent assault on the President’s Palace took place,” Kobakhidze said during a press briefing. “It was openly described beforehand as an effort to overthrow the government. And yet, not a single country or organization — not the US, not the EU — has spoken out against it.”
Kobakhidze’s remarks follow widespread protests that erupted across Georgia on October 4, the day of local elections boycotted by major opposition parties. Demonstrators clashed with police outside the presidential palace on Atoneli Street, where railings were torn down and an attempt was made to storm the grounds. Of note is the fact that elsewhere in the city- particularly outside the parliament building and along Rustaveli Avenue, the rally of, some say up to 20,000 people remained peaceful.
So far, 35 people have been arrested for the Atoneli uprising, including several high-profile opposition figures such as opera singer Paata Burchuladze and United National Movement (UNM) members Murtaz Zodelava and Irakli Nadiradze. Five opposition leaders have been formally charged with attempting to overthrow the government — a crime that carries up to nine years in prison.
US Senators Slam Georgian Government Over Crackdown
Across the Atlantic, US Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Jim Risch (R-ID), both senior members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued a strong rebuke of Georgia’s leadership. In a joint statement, they said the government’s actions were pushing the country further away from democratic norms.
“We are increasingly troubled by the Georgian government’s response to the elections,” they wrote. “Outlawing opposition parties, jailing their leaders, and using politically motivated investigations — this is not how a democracy behaves.”
The senators also called out the government for targeting former US officials and individuals who had testified before Congress, calling the accusations “baseless.”
“Let’s be clear: it is Georgian Dream, not the United States, that is undermining Georgia’s democracy and future,” they said, urging the Trump administration to rethink its relationship with Tbilisi.
Government Accuses Foreign Powers of Interference
Meanwhile, Georgian officials have pushed the narrative that foreign money — particularly from the United States — is funding unrest. Pro-government broadcaster Imedi TV aired a report alleging US-linked financial transfers from Thailand were being used to support radical opposition groups.
The US State Department quickly dismissed the claims as disinformation, saying the transactions in question were routine embassy payrolls processed through its financial services hub in Bangkok.
“Rather than asking for clarification, senior Georgian officials chose to echo these false reports,” a State Department spokesperson said. “This has contributed to an atmosphere of harassment toward current and former US embassy staff.”
The US also confirmed that it had requested a meeting with Georgia’s Ambassador to Washington, Tamar Taliashvili, to express concern. Georgian officials insist it was not a formal diplomatic summons.
EU Also Raises Alarm Over Election Conduct
Georgia’s relationship with the European Union is also under strain. The European People’s Party (EPP), the largest group in the European Parliament, condemned the local elections as neither free nor fair, citing widespread voter intimidation, a crackdown on civil society, and harassment of opposition figures.
“The Georgian people want democracy, not repression. They want to move closer to Europe, not be pushed away,” the EPP said in a statement calling for sanctions on individuals close to Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili.
International observers have not yet released their final assessments, with the OSCE reporting that its monitoring efforts were delayed by late government invitations.
Prime Minister Kobakhidze rejected the criticism, accusing Western leaders of applying double standards. He took issue with EU officials who called on both the government and opposition to show restraint, arguing such neutrality ignored what he insists was a coordinated coup attempt.
“In a situation like this, telling both sides to behave — is that really a reasonable response?” he asked.
Georgian Officials Double Down
Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze responded to the US Senate criticism by accusing Senators Risch and Shaheen of siding with what he called the “global war party.” He reiterated the ruling party’s support for President Donald Trump, and expressed hope for a “reset” in US-Georgia relations.
“We’ve said it many times, and I’ll say it again — we support Trump in defeating the deep state,” Kaladze said. “We want a real friendship with the United States, one that’s built on mutual respect.”
While Georgian Dream continues to defend its actions as necessary for protecting national sovereignty and law and order, critics at home and abroad argue that the government is sliding toward authoritarianism.
With key opposition leaders behind bars, tensions rising with Western allies, and accusations of foreign meddling flying in both directions, Georgia finds itself in the middle of a political storm — one that shows no sign of clearing.
By Team GT
