30 October 2003, 22:32
Opposition leader refused to meet with OSCE
David Berdzenishvili, leader of "Saakashvili - National Movement" bloc, said on October 28 that the reason why he had refused to meet with OSCE observers was their behavior. On October 23, when the Interior Ministry's forces broke up the opposition's demonstration in Batumi, they "hid away", said Berdzenishvili.
According to Berdzenishvili, there were two OSCE observers in Batumi at that time - from Britain and Slovakia, who he constantly stayed in touch with via mobile phone. However, the observers only "appeared" once the event had been over.
After the demonstration had been broken up, OSCE observers' mission offered David Berdzenishvili to leave the Ajarian Autonomous Republic's territory in an OSCE vehicle through the Choloki check point. But David Berdzenishvili refused the offer and on October 24 was brutally beaten at the Choloki check point.
More than 100 people were injured as a result of the dispersal of the demonstration in Batumi on October 23.
Source: Prima News Agency
