22:40, 13 October 2004

Bagapsh's supporters to stage mass rally

The National Gathering of the Abkhazian People, an action of the opposition, will take place on Freedom Square in Sukhum tomorrow, October 14, presidential candidate Sergey Bagapsh has announced. "20,000 people are expected to attend it, by preliminary estimate," Sergey Bagapsh said during a press conference today. Mr Bagapsh believes that "the Abkhazian people usually convene a national gathering in a very complicated situation." The action of Sergey Bagapsh's supporters is caused by a film broadcast by the Abkhazian television yesterday, October 12. In the film, Aleksandr Ankvab, who is a would-be prime minister in case Bagapsh wins the election, was accused of betrayal in the time of the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict.

Today, the first deputy director general of the Abkhazian State TV and Radio Company, the editor-in-chief, and about 30 employees of the company, who do not agree with the demonstration of the film, have sent in their resignation.

Author: Anzhela Kuchuberiya, CK correspondent

Source: Caucasian Knot