RESTRICTION: USERS MUST CREDIT “STATE SECURITY SERVICE OF GEORGIA” HANDOUT, MUST NOT OBSCURE LOGO —EDITORIAL USE ONLY— SHOTLIST: TBILISI, GEORGIA (OCT. 5, 2025) (STATE SECURITY SERVICE OF GEORGIA – RESTRICTED) 1. VARIOUS OF SECURITY OFFICERS REMOVING WEAPONS, EXPLOSIVES FROM EARTH 2. VARIOUS OF WEAPONS, AMMUNITION, EXPLOSIVES BEING DISPLAYED ON GROUNDTBILISI, GEORGIA - OCT. 5, 2025: Georgia’s State Security Service (SSSG) announced the seizure of explosives, firearms, and ammunition allegedly intended for use in sabotage during protests in Tbilisi on October 4. Deputy head of the SSSG, Lasha Magradze, said the cache was discovered in a forested area near the capital. He linked the weapons to unrest that saw protesters attempt to storm the Presidential Palace, claiming that a sabotage plan was being prepared to coincide with the demonstrations. Magradze stated that the operation was reportedly carried out under the guidance of a Georgian national affiliated with a military unit in Ukraine. Authorities named a suspect, identified as B. Ch., who is suspected of assembling the weapons, and indicated that a warrant for his arrest would soon be issued. The case is still under investigation. At least 21 police officers and 6 protesters were injured in violent clashes during protests in Georgia's capital, Tbilisi, according to the Health Ministry on Saturday. Protests in central Tbilisi escalated into clashes on Saturday as demonstrators stormed the courtyard of the Orbeliani Presidential Palace after the ruling party declared victory in local elections. The demonstrations began following local elections, which the opposition used as an opportunity to call for the restoration of Georgia’s suspended commitment to European integration. Georgia's Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze accused protesters of attempting to overthrow the government by rejecting local elections, adding that their attempt to storm the Presidential Palace had failed. He warned that anyone resorting to illegal means to overthrow the government would receive a "strong response" from the state. Several dozen protesters entered the palace grounds before being pushed back by police using tear gas. Despite this, the demonstrators made repeated attempts to breach the compound, prompting the Internal Affairs Ministry to deploy additional forces to the area. Police later used a water cannon and pepper spray to disperse crowds outside the palace. The protesters accuse the ruling Georgian Dream party of backtracking under what they describe as Western interference in the country’s internal affairs. Kobakhidze earlier said the ruling party was winning local elections nationwide, with more than 70% of the vote, including in Tbilisi. He thanked voters for their support, pledging that the government would “justify this trust through hard work.”