22:01, 20 August 2003

Georgian refugees from Abkhazia have occupied Metrostroy administrative building in Tbilisi

Several Georgian refugees from Abkhazia, mainly women, have occupied a Metrostroy administrative building in Tbilisi today.

They spilled petrol over themselves and threatened with self-immolation if this building is not granted to them for habitation. The refugees threatened to burn several hostages, Metrostroy employees, as well. The building has been surrounded by the Georgian police.

After the operations in Abkhazia had ended 10 years ago, about 300 thousand local residents were forced to leave their homes and move to the other regions of Georgia and countries of the CIS. Tens of thousands of refugees from Abkhazia, mainly Georgians, settled in Tbilisi. Most of them take shelter at their relatives.

Source: Ekho Moskvy Radio