On 8 September, clashes erupted outside the campaign headquarters of Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, leaving more than a dozen people injured, including protesters and journalists. Those hurt included reporters from Publika and Netgazeti medias, as well as Hungarian journalist László Mecze.
Protesters alleged they were attacked by groups linked to the youth wing of the ruling Georgian Dream party. The Interior Ministry later announced an investigation under the charge of “participation in group violence,” though no suspects have been detained to date.
Mayor Kaladze rejected accusations of violence by his supporters, arguing that those at the rally were not peaceful demonstrators but provocateurs. He described the group as “hired young people” whose intention was to escalate tensions, and said the clashes should be seen as reactions to provocation. He also called on international organisations and the EU ambassador to review the events, framing them as attempts to disrupt the campaign for the upcoming October 4 elections.
Parliamentary Speaker Shalva Papuashvili attributed the clashes to international interference, claiming that extremist groups encouraged by foreign diplomats and media outlets funded from abroad played a role in the unrest.
The following evening, on September 9, demonstrators gathered again, but no significant incidents were reported.