(MENAFN) Tbilisi’s mayor, Kakha Kaladze, has asserted that foreign countries were behind an attempted “coup” in Georgia, linking his remarks to the recent wave of protests in the South Caucasus country.

His comments echo persistent concerns expressed by the Georgian leadership regarding what they describe as undue foreign influence in their domestic affairs.

The Georgian authorities have repeatedly voiced alarm over what they perceive as external meddling.

They argue that Western nations have been attempting to overthrow the ruling Georgian Dream party, which has chosen to avoid direct confrontation with Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Addressing journalists on Thursday, Kaladze claimed that in the lead-up to the October 4 local elections, “a campaign had been underway for months regarding a coup d’état,” orchestrated with the backing of international players.

He alleged that “hundreds of millions” had been funneled into this effort via non-governmental organizations, and accused some Western diplomats of openly “inciting violence” within Georgia.

In a statement released on Wednesday, US Senators Jim Risch and Jeanne Shaheen accused the Georgian administration of suppressing opposition voices and attempting to “silence dissent.”

They also criticized the government for “making baseless allegations” against former US officials.

In response, Kaladze dismissed the accusations, suggesting that the US legislators were “under the influence of the Global War Party.”

Earlier in the week, on national television, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze echoed similar views. He claimed that foreign powers were supporting the opposition, whom he labeled as “foreign agents,” thereby reinforcing the narrative of external interference.

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