Georgian riot police used pepper spray and water cannons on Saturday to disperse demonstrators near the presidential palace, detaining five activists, including opera singer Paata Burchuladze and two members of the United National Movement. Despite the official results, protesters gathered in central Tbilisi, waving Georgian and European Union flags while denouncing the government as pro-Russian and authoritarian. Some protesters attempted to storm the presidential palace before barricading nearby streets and lighting fires, leading to further confrontations with riot police. Longstanding Protests by Pro-Western OppositionGeorgia’s pro-Western opposition has been staging protests since October last year, following parliamentary elections they claim were fraudulent. Georgian Dream, widely associated with founder Bidzina Ivanishvili, denies being pro-Moscow, asserting it aims to join the EU while maintaining peace with Russia.