Protests Continue Outside Tbilisi Mayor's Campaign Office After Clashes
By Liza Mchedlidze
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
On September 8, clashes broke out near the campaign office of Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, where footage showed supporters of the Georgian Dream party confronting demonstrators. Several people, including women and journalists, were injured during a confrontation that lasted about two hours.
The Interior Ministry said it has "launched an investigation into group violence" and that police "took all relevant measures from the start of the confrontation to cool down the tensions and prevent the further intensifying of the conflict." Protesters, however, claim that officers did not prevent assaults or make arrests.
Eyewitnesses reported that clashes began when demonstrators marching from the Public Broadcaster arrived at Kaladze's office. Protesters say dozens of individuals they identified as ruling party supporters were waiting in parked cars. Video footage shows attackers using iron batons, throwing bottles, pushing metal barriers, and repeatedly punching demonstrators. Several party activists also joined the confrontations.
Journalists were among those injured. Publika reported that their reporters, Aleksandre Keshelashvili and Keto Mikadze, were attacked and had their phones taken. Netgazeti journalist Ketevan Khutsishvili said a police officer physically removed her from the scene. Hungarian journalist László Mézes sustained facial injuries and a twisted hand. Some injured individuals were hospitalized.
Police officers were also hurt during the clashes. Footage shows one man throwing a bottle that struck a police officer. At the same time, another is seen giving a rubber baton to an officer and later hitting a protester. None of the attackers was detained.
Georgian Dream parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili accused demonstrators of attacking the campaign office and claimed support from the German Ambassador, describing it as "an example of election interference and a blatant violation of the Vienna Convention." GD-affiliated media have shown footage of demonstrators shouting insults at the office, though the timing and context of the clips are unclear. Archil Gorduladze, head of the parliamentary judicial committee, described the attackers as "externally manipulated titushki," a term historically used to describe street hooligans.
On September 9, citizens gathered at the Philharmonic began marching toward Melikishvili Avenue, heading to Kaladze's campaign headquarters. Protesters from the former Public Broadcaster building joined the march. Police were mobilized along Melikishvili Avenue and around the headquarters.
