Rally being dispersed in TbilisiSeptember 28, 2007 - 19:22 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A mass rally is taking place in Tbilisi in support of former Defense Minister, leader of the Movement for United Georgia Irakli Okruashvili, who was arrested yesterday on accusation of corruption. The demonstrators blocked traffic at Rustaveli Avenue. A statement issued by the disgraced ex-minister was read for some 5 thousand people who gathered at the parliament building. Okruashvili thanked his supporters called "not to be afraid of the authorities." Koki Guntsadze, one of the leaders of the Movement said they will demand resignation of the President and dismissal of parliament. Meanwhile, policemen with batons are rushing towards Rustaveli Avenue. Several ambulances and fire engines have already arrived at the site, Lenta.ru reports. Irakli Okruashvili, who went into opposition to President Mikhael Saakashvili, was detained in Tbilisi September 27. He is accused under 4 articles of the Georgian Penal Code: extortion, money laundering, abuse of authority and office negligence. 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 | Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. Russia: Armenia’s frozen membership weakens CSTO position in Caucasus A Russian envoy said any step that could alienate the CSTO member states from each other is “deeply wrong”. |