Georgia: Riot police use water cannons on protestersNovember 26, 2019 - 10:27 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Riot police used water cannons on anti-government protesters outside Georgia's parliament building in the capital, Tbilisi, the BBC reports. Thousands of people demonstrated on Monday evening calling for reform to the country's electoral system. Several activists and a politician were arrested early on Tuesday, opposition leader Giorgi Vashadze said. Rallies have been held for the last two weeks, with activists demanding proportional representation. Georgia was due to switch to the proportional representation electoral system in 2024, but the opposition is calling for the date to be brought forward. Campaigners say the current system favours the ruling Georgian Dream party, which has been in power since 2012. Protesters blocked several entrances to parliament, in order to stop politicians being able to enter for a session on Tuesday. A few hours before police forcefully dispersed the demonstration, Mamuka Mdinaradze, a ruling-party politician, told reporters: "If protesters violate the law, the state will act adequately." Officers also used water cannons on protesters at a rally outside parliament last Monday, and arrested 37 people. Top stories 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". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |