Georgian Parliament speaker: Attempted coup funded from abroad

The attempted coup in Georgia on October 4 was evidently planned and financed from abroad, Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili has claimed.

Speaking to local media, Papuashvili said that over the past four years, European parliamentarians, NGOs, and experts funded by foreign governments have attacked Georgia’s authorities and encouraged local radicals to overthrow the government, yet no one has been held accountable, Caliber.Az reports.

He added that on October 4, as a crowd attempted to storm the presidential palace in Tbilisi, numerous foreign politicians posted provocative messages expressing support for the “Georgian people’s struggle for democracy and freedom.”

“Anyone trying to identify the government responsible for these statements will never succeed, as foreign authorities, as usual, deny any involvement,” Papuashvili said.

He singled out Moldovan President Maia Sandu, who he said openly supported the attackers at the presidential palace.

Papuashvili described this stance as particularly striking from a politician who, just two weeks ago, had warned of potential foreign interference.

The protest, initially billed as a “peaceful revolution” by opposition organisers, escalated when a group of demonstrators broke through the fence of the Orbeliani presidential compound. Police responded with water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowd. According to the Health Ministry, injuries were reported on both sides.

Authorities have opened criminal cases against several individuals accused of organising or taking part in the attack. 36 people were arrested. The opposition had earlier announced a boycott of the municipal vote, alleging election manipulation by the ruling Georgian Dream party. However, some groups, including Lelo and For Georgia, chose to participate.

While tens of thousands gathered on Rustaveli Avenue, most demonstrators distanced themselves after calls were made from the stage to “seize state institutions”.

By Aghakazim Guliyev