Protest Vigil in Batumi to Prompt More Rallies
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| Protesters in Batumi vow to keep peaceful demonstrations till end. |
Security forces loyal to Abashidze fired over heads of protesters; however no clashes have been reported. Earlier on May 4 dozens of peaceful demonstrators were injured as security forces attacked a smaller rally in Batumi with truncheons and water cannon.
Protesters in Adjara’s second largest town of Kobuleti failed to pave the way to Batumi last night, as Abashidze’s militias blocked the roads to the Adjarian capital.
The largest ever protest rally in Batumi vows to keep protesting till end. “The number of protesters in Batumi slightly decreased overnight, however, a large-scale rally is scheduled in Batumi by the noon,” Eter Suladze, Batumi-based journalists told Civil Georgia.
Around hounded protesters headed towards the Adjarian Autonomy last night from Tbilisi with buses and minibuses, however it is unclear yet whether they can manage to enter into the region, as road links between the Autonomy and the rest of Georgia has been cut off after Abashidze’s security forces blew up three key bridges on May 2.
Aslan Abashidze, who made an overnight televised appeal to his supporters protect “democracy and constitutional system” in the Autonomy, has mobilized security forces around his residence in downtown Batumi.
Roads to Abashidze’s residence and apartment are blocked by the trucks and armed militias loyal to the Adjarian leader.
In a televised address made on the Adjara TV, run by the local authorities, Abashidze showed no signs of bowing President Saakashvili’s demand to disarm militias by May 12.
Meanwhile, in Tbilisi Georgian National Security Council held overnight consultations regarding the situation in Batumi.
The members of the Council ruled out forceful involvement in Adjarian developments.
“Adjarians will decide their future themselves,” President Saakashvili, who joined the Security Council session later, told reporters.
He also warned that Abashidze would face an “appropriate response” if he would use force against the protesters.
Georgian central authorities claim that Abashidze’s regime is falling apart as more supporters of Adjarian leader defect him and switch sides.
“Abashidze’s regime is in panic. We are witnessing countdown to Abashidze’s regime,” Vano Merabishvili, Secretary of the Georgian National Security Council said.
Deputy Security Minister of Georgia Gigi Ugulava said that 25 servicemen of Abashidze’s elite troops defied Adjarian leader and pledged loyalty to the country’s central authorities.
Dozens of local policemen also reportedly switched sides and joined the protest rally in the center of Adjarian capital.
Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania and Interior Minister Giorgi Baramidze arrived in Black Sea town of Poti, 30 km away from Adjarian Autonomy last night.
Central authorities of Georgia are mounting more pressure on Abashidze. Speaking live at Imedi television late on May 4 Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania said “only negotiable issue with Abashidze can by his resignation.”
“After blowing bridges, after disbanding peaceful rallies, after violating Georgian constitution, he [Aslan Abashidze] has only one choice – to resign,” Zurab Zhvania said.
Earlier on May 4, the Georgian Parliament approved a harsh statement with 134 votes to 0, demanding from Head of Adjara Autonomous Republic Aslan Abashidze “unconditional resignation.”