18:00, 24 May 2010

Widow of Georgia's late president Gamsakhurdia threatens self-immolation in front of Parliament

Manana Archvadze-Gamsakhurdia, the widow of Georgia`s late president Zviad Gamsakhurdia, announced intention to commit a suicide for attracting the public attention to her son Tsotne Gamsakhurdia who was sentenced to 9,5 years prison on charges of attempted murder, illegal possession and carrying of firearms.

On 3 May, staying in the Tbilisi prison hospital, Tsotne Gamsakhurdia embarked on another indefinite hunger strike against the prison officials' action.
A message with Manana Archvadze-Gamsakhurdia's statement of her intention to commit an act of self-immolation in front of the parliament building was smsed to journalists by member of her party "Kruglyi Stol" (Round Table).

According to some reports, Manana with her closest supporters is in the parliament building now. In front of the building of legislative body, several dozen representatives of the opposition gathered, calling Gamsakhurdia's widow for renouncing her intentions, "News- Georgia" IA reports.

The authorities have not yet commented on the situation.