Tbilisi protesters accuse Russia of provocations

The action "Stop Russia!" was held at the administration of the Georgian government in Tbilisi on July 18. According to organizers, it was over 3000 persons strong. Activists of the "National Movement", members of NGOs and media professionals protested against the policy of Georgian authorities in relation to Russia, demanding "an appropriate response to the Russian occupation."

On July 11, the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) accused Russian border guards and South Ossetian authorities of installing border information banners. As a result, according to the Georgian MFA, parts of Georgia and of the Baku-Supsa pipeline were captured. South-Ossetian authorities deny the alienation of the territory, claiming that the banners were installed in the territory of South Ossetia, 50 meters off the border.

The protesters' demands include "to stop negotiations in the Karasin-Abashidze format." Activists have stated that all negotiations with Moscow should be held with the participation of Georgia's strategic partners; and the parliament shall adopt a law against collaborationism.

In the opinion of Mikhail Mshvildadze, one of the organizers of the action, "what Russia is now doing in the Shida Kartli Region, is a direct provocation."

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.