Tbilisi: The Prosecutor's Office of Georgia announced on Monday that five individuals have been charged with organizing and leading group violence, attempting to seize a strategic facility, and calling for the overthrow of the state government following protests in Tbilisi after local elections.

According to Anadolu Agency, the charges have been brought against Paata Burchuladze, Murtaz Zodelava, Irakli Nadiradze, Paata Manjgaladze, and Lasha Beridze. These individuals are alleged to have led violent actions aimed at storming the presidential administration building on Saturday.

The group is accused of encouraging citizens to participate in a revolution and attempting to forcibly change Georgia's constitutional order. The Prosecutor's Office stated that the suspects gathered protesters in Freedom Square before marching toward the presidential building. There, they allegedly damaged fences and attacked law enforcement officers with stones and heavy objects.

All five suspects were arrested soon after the clashes and have been charged under multiple articles of the Criminal Code of Georgia. The charges carry potential prison terms of up to nine years. The investigation is ongoing as authorities seek to identify others who may have been involved in the unrest.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze previously accused the protesters of attempting to overthrow the government, as the ruling Georgian Dream party claimed a sweeping victory in the local elections. He also urged the EU's ambassador to condemn the unrest, emphasizing that those behind the failed attempt will not escape responsibility.

Protests against the government have persisted in Georgia since last year, with opposition accusations of election fraud and escalating tensions between the ruling party and Western diplomats.