Georgia's former President Saakashvili accused of coup plotOctober 31, 2015 - 11:06 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Georgia has launched a criminal investigation into the former President, Mikheil Saakashvili, who is accused of a coup plot, BBC News reports. In a leaked phone call between Saakashvili and the head of an opposition TV channel he suggests using a "revolutionary scenario" and makes plans to provoke violent confrontation. The former leader is already facing several criminal charges in Georgia. The channel, Rustavi 2, is in a legal dispute over its ownership. Critics of the government say the dispute is a politically motivated attempt to shut the influential TV station down, BBC says. The authorities deny that there is any political interference in the legal dispute. Rustavi 2 is the country's most-watched broadcaster, our correspondent says. The channel's boss and Saakashvili have both confirmed the authenticity of the leaked phone call, and accuse the Georgian government of illegal wiretapping. In the recording Saakashvili discussed erecting barricades to ensure a confrontation in which "faces are smashed". That clash would take place outside the TV station, to prevent its takeover. Supporters of the ex-president - who is now a regional governor in Ukraine - say the charges against him and other former government officials are politically motivated. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Lemkin Institute petition seeks release of Armenians in Azerbaijan The Lemkin Institute is deeply concerned about the continued illegal detention of political prisoners from Karabakh in Azerbaijan. Armenian Catholicos calls for national unity against threats Karekin II issued a message on Republic Day marking the anniversary of the First Armenian Republic. Pashinyan: Armenia’s desired goal is “on the horizon” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that Armenia is moving forward “without interruption”. Opposition leader, supporters spend night at Sardarapat memorial Police made nearly 300 arrests the day before as Galstanyan and his supporters continued to demonstrate in Yerevan. |