Saakashvili Ally Threatens Force Over Georgian Protests

September 28, 2007 12:31 GMT

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili (NATO) September 28, 2007 -- A key ally of Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has warned antigovernment protesters to refrain from violence at an rally under way in the capital, Tbilisi.

Giga Bokeria, a leading parliamentarian, said the government will meet force with force if the gathering turns violent.

RFE/RL's Georgian Service reports that several thousand people have already gathered for the demonstration in support of former Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili, who was arrested on September 27 on charges of money laundering and corruption.

Members of Georgia's opposition said Okruashvili's arrest was politically motivated.

Okruashvili on September 25 accused Saakashvili of ordering murders of his political opponents.

(with material from Reuters, AFP)

Georgia's Road To The West

Georgian parliament speaker Nino Burjanadze giving a presentation at RFE/RL's Prague broadcasting center (RFE/RL)

BETWEEN RUSSIA AND THE WEST: Georgian parliament speaker Nino Burjanadze told an RFE/RL briefing that her country is under intense pressure from Russia.

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