18 May 2009, 18:00
In Georgia, opposition blocks one of Tbilisi avenues
On Monday, several dozens of oppositional activists held a protest action by blocking the Vazha-Pshavela Avenue, one of central streets in Tbilisi, where the "Rustavi-2" TV Company is located.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the Georgian opposition holds its actions from April 9. The main demand is resignation of President Mikhail Saakashvili.
The action at the office of "Rustavi-2" began today at 3:00 p.m. Tbilisi time; then, the opposition leaders and their supporters moved to the building of Tbilisi GUVD (City Interior Department) to reiterate their protest against the violence applied, as oppositionists assert, to their activists in the premises of this establishment, as the "Georgia Today" writes.
Georgiy Khaindrava, one of the leaders of the opposition, has stated at the rally that the "Rustavi-2" TV Channel is a "propaganda machine of Saakashvili's regime." "It's an antinational TV Channel, every day splashing out plenty of lies in defence of Saakashvili and his retinue; however it's going to end quite soon," the "Interfax" quotes Mr Khaindrava as saying.
Let us note here that the opposition is planning a "grandiose rally" in Tbilisi on May 26, the Independence Day of Georgia in support of demand of Saakashvili's resignation. Before May 26, the opposition plans blocking central highways and entrances to Tbilisi.