POLICE in the Georgian capital Tbilisi moved in early today to break up a tent camp that demonstrators had set up on a central thoroughfare to protest at the results of last month’s parliamentary election and demand a new vote.

According to the Central Election Commission, Georgian Dream won 54 per cent of last month’s vote, but opponents say it was rigged and have staged several large protests since then.

Georgian Dream leaders have rejected opposition claims of fraud.

As police moved to disperse the tent camp, there were scuffles and several protesters were detained, according to reporters at the scene. 

Elene Khoshtaria, leader of Coalition for Change, which unites several opposition parties, vowed to continue with demonstrations, telling reporters: “There was absolutely no reason for dispersal, but it will not stop our resistance. It’s their mistake, their weakness, and they will pay the price for it. We will continue to resist as long as it takes.”

President Salome Zourabichvili, who has rejected the official results, filed a lawsuit at the Constitutional Court today, arguing that two fundamental principles guaranteed by the constitution — the secrecy of the vote and its universality — had been violated.