22:29, 24 February 2004

Office of party in opposition to Abashidze burnt in Batumi, party's leader beaten

Unknown people set fire to the regional office of the Christian Democratic Party in the capital of Adjaria, Batumi, on February 22. Firemen managed to extinguish the fire, however all property and things in the office burnt down.

In several hours after this incident, one of the leaders of this party, Avtandil Darchiya, was found on the sea shore in Batumi. He had been forced in a car by strangers. They had taken him to the sea shore and savagely beaten. Darchiya was taken to hospital where he told journalists both the arson of the Party's office and his beating "was organized by Adjarian authorities."

The Christian Democratic Party actively opposes the present Adjarian authorities and demands Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze's immediate dismissal.

The situation in Batumi, where Aslan Abashidze's supporters smashed up offices of the local opposition last Friday, February 20, remains tense.

Source: Interfax News Agency