I know I haven't posted on here in a long time. For a very brief summary, I am no longer a volunteer in Borjomi, as I finished my service. I live in Tbilisi and work at a university. I will talk more about that at another time. Some of you may have been watching the news and would like to know whats going on. This is as much as I can explain briefly- but don't be fooled it is a far more complex situation than this. Additionally, I want to stress this is the information as I have seen it and had it explained to me.
A few weeks ago Okruashvili (former Minister of Defense) accused Saakashvili's government of being corrupt and among many things trying to assassinate Georgian tycoon Patarkatsishvili, former owner of Imedi station, and known opposition supporter. Okruashvili was arrested and subsequently withdrew his accusations. He was released later and remained silent until he appeared again on TV from Germany saying he was forced by the government to withdraw his statements, but that they had all indeed been true.
Since Nov. 2nd there have been large protests in front of the Parliament building in downtown Tbilisi. Although the starting number was over 50,000, everyday there were fewer and fewer protesters although there were still many (20-30 thousand I would guess). Opposition demands are mainly to hold early elections and free political prisoners. The opposition demonstrators have spent most of their time yelling things like "Misha must leave!" and "Remove Saakashvili"
Saakhashvili believes that the opposition is working with Russia to stir unrest in the city. Indeed, all news stations have been broadcasting audio and video tapes of secret meeting between opposition leaders and well known Russian political figures.
Today the government said that it was too much protesting; and the blocking of the street (Rustaveli) and it was begining to affect businesses and people who needed to travel on that main road. They said that citizens may continue the protest off the streets, and sent in police to force them off the streets. Police started using tear gas and water cannons against protesters. Large numbers of police moved in and began chasing protesters away. Violence on both sides occurred as opposition protesters fought against police. Police were being beaten by big groups of protesters with bats and other objects. Many protesters have been sent to hospitals after rubber bullets were used by authorities.
This evening as everyone was glued to their televisions trying to understand what was going on, Imedi, a TV station that the government has long criticized for being too pro-opposition, was taken over by special police forces. A TV executive interrupted the nightly news broadcast to say that Imedi was being taken over by the police. Speaking quickly he pleaded for help from international organizations and governments. Calling the current government a dictatorship he pleaded with the Georgian Orthodox church to step in and help. He reminded people of Imedi's history of telling the "truth" and said that there was nothing left to say as they were in the building. He could hear screaming and some people on the second floor were being forced to lay down with guns pointed at them. He ended by saying, "They are here. Don't worry, everything will be okay." Moments later Imedi station was shut off. Not long after another television station was shut down (Caucasia). The Prime Minister has said that this is now a military situation and that media must be controlled in such a situation. He also said that as soon as the situation is resolved all television stations will be allowed to resume. It appears that the journalists were not hurt and are being held in the Imedi courtyard. They have shouted at the protesters surrounding the station that they were forced to give up their cell phones and held at gunpoint. Large numbers of people are now gathered at Imedi demanding they be allowed back on the air.
I will update more as I learn it.
