4 October protest was ‘externally backed’ act against state, ruling party MP

Giorgi Gabunia, chair of the Culture Committee in the Parliament of Georgia, has described the 4 October abti-governmnet protest as a “well-organised” and “externally supported” act carried out against the country.

Gabunia on Friday said the demonstration involved violence, including what he described as an attack on the presidential residence, and alleged it had been backed and financed from outside Georgia.

“This was a well-organised, externally supported and funded act directed against our country. There was an attack on the presidential palace and violence took place. Determining who played what role - who organised, incited, assisted or directly carried out the actions - is a matter for the courts,” he said.

He added that in cases involving organised crime, those responsible may not necessarily be present at the scene, noting that identifying organisers and participants would be part of the judicial investigation.