May 27, 2009 - 20:37 AMT
Benetton stores close in Tbilisi
Benetton stores have been closed in Tbilisi in protest to the decision of the Benetton Turkey to open its stores in Georgia's breakaway region of Abkhazia. The owners of the shops stuck protest posters on the shop windows.

A Turkish newspaper reported yesterday that Benetton Turkey was planning to open a store in Abkhazia. The head of the Benetton Turkey has confirmed the report and specified that the store would be open in Sukhumi.

The management of the Benetton Georgia has sent a letter of protest to the colleagues in turkey, in which they urge them to change the decision. Tbilisi stores of the United Colors of Benetton will be closed until the Benetton Turkey changes the decision and announces that they will not open the stores in Abkhazia, Rustavi2 reported.

"We are ready to lose money, but avoid the precedent of a well known company presenting its brand on an occupied territory," Nino Tsiklauri, Benetton's representative in Georgia said.