State of emergency in Tbilisi following anti-Saakashvili demonstrations
Tbilisi (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Army troops and police flooded the centre of the Georgian capital on Thursday to enforce a 15-day state of emergency imposed yesterday by the president after a violent crackdown on anti-government protesters.
News broadcasts on independent stations were halted and all demonstrations banned. State-controlled TV stations provide reassuring and pro-government news.
In a nearly 30-minute televised address late Wednesday, Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili said that the state of emergency was necessary to prevent destabilisation and stop the country from sliding into chaos.
During the crackdown police used tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons against thousands of demonstrators calling for Saakashvili to resign.
Nearly 100 people hurt during the clashes were hospitalised on Thursday, the Health Ministry said.
Some 500 people sought medical treatment, most for the effects of tear gas.
The decision to impose a state of emergency was made after protests began last Friday with demonstrators initially calling for changes in the dates of planned elections and the electoral system. The president rejected their demands and instead accused Russia of being behind the protests.
This is Georgia's worst political crisis since the Saakashvili was elected nearly four years ago. Ever since he has tried to shake off Russian influence, but the country remains poor.
Protesters, who have been gathering outside parliament every day since Friday when 50,000 people attended, accuse Saakashvili of corruption and of not doing enough to tackle poverty and poor health.
The United States and the European Union have expressed their concern for the situation, urging government and opposition to remain calm.
Russia responded to the Georgian president’s charges by calling them an “''irresponsible provocation.”
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24/11/2023 09:02
