Amid protests in Georgia, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced a sweeping crackdown on dissent and slammed the protesters who tried to storm the presidential palace for aiming to topple his government. He also blamed the European Union for interfering in this country’s internal affairs.

This comes a day after protesters set fire to chairs and tables outside Georgia’s presidential palace in Tbilisi as police fired tear gas to disperse thousands of anti-government demonstrators.

The violence broke out as protesters, rallying against the ruling Georgian Dream Party, tried to breach security barriers near the palace in the final minutes before polls closed in local elections. Officers in riot gear moved in with tear gas and armoured vehicles to push the crowd back.

“No one will escape

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