‘We Hope Mass Protests will be Peaceful in Georgia’ – Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin said recent developments in Georgia, involving the arrest of ex-Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili and subsequent protests, were “an internal Georgian matter.”

“We hope the mass protests will be peaceful and both sides will show maturity and long-term political vision,” Putin said. “We hope it will not develop into clashes and casualties.”

Putin said he would not wish Russia to have the kind of democracy Georgia has, even though it has western approval.

Putin made his remarks in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, after being asked by reporters to comment on developments in Georgia.

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