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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Anti-government clash in Georgia | Anti-government clash in Georgia |
| (about 23 hours later) | |
| Anti-government protesters and police have clashed in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, amid rising national tensions. | Anti-government protesters and police have clashed in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, amid rising national tensions. |
| Riot police used batons on protesters trying to enter a police compound where three people were being held over the alleged beating of a local journalist. | Riot police used batons on protesters trying to enter a police compound where three people were being held over the alleged beating of a local journalist. |
| The clashes were the first major unrest since anti-government demonstrations began in early April. | The clashes were the first major unrest since anti-government demonstrations began in early April. |
| They come a day after the authorities said they had thwarted an army mutiny at a base outside the capital. | They come a day after the authorities said they had thwarted an army mutiny at a base outside the capital. |
| Later in the evening, opposition leaders and supporters gathered outside parliament for a rally, as they have daily since 9 April. | Later in the evening, opposition leaders and supporters gathered outside parliament for a rally, as they have daily since 9 April. |
| The BBC's Tom Esslemont in Tbilisi says attendances at the rallies have dwindled but tensions in the city appear to be rising. | |
| The protesters are calling for the resignation of President Mikhail Saakashvili over his leadership record and his handling of Georgia's war with Russia last summer. | The protesters are calling for the resignation of President Mikhail Saakashvili over his leadership record and his handling of Georgia's war with Russia last summer. |
| 'Small scuffle' | 'Small scuffle' |
| The latest clashes broke out after dark in a suburb of Tbilisi after demonstrators, including opposition party leaders, surrounded the police station. | The latest clashes broke out after dark in a suburb of Tbilisi after demonstrators, including opposition party leaders, surrounded the police station. |
| This president has dug his own grave - we'll be standing and fighting till the very end Nino BurjanadzeOpposition leader | This president has dug his own grave - we'll be standing and fighting till the very end Nino BurjanadzeOpposition leader |
| They were demanding the release of three opposition activists arrested over the alleged beating of a reporter for a public broadcaster on Tuesday. | They were demanding the release of three opposition activists arrested over the alleged beating of a reporter for a public broadcaster on Tuesday. |
| Interior Ministry spokesman Shota Utiashvili said riot police used batons to force back protesters trying to break into the building and there had been "a small scuffle". | Interior Ministry spokesman Shota Utiashvili said riot police used batons to force back protesters trying to break into the building and there had been "a small scuffle". |
| Mr Utiashvili denied accusations from protesters that police had used "excessive force", including firing rubber bullets into the crowds. | Mr Utiashvili denied accusations from protesters that police had used "excessive force", including firing rubber bullets into the crowds. |
| He said saying the police had acted "with the utmost restraint". | He said saying the police had acted "with the utmost restraint". |
| Television footage showed several injured protesters, including some with blood on their faces. | Television footage showed several injured protesters, including some with blood on their faces. |
| The opposition said dozens of their supporters were injured, while Deputy Interior Minister Eka Zguladze put the number at 22, with six police officers also wounded. | The opposition said dozens of their supporters were injured, while Deputy Interior Minister Eka Zguladze put the number at 22, with six police officers also wounded. |
| Later, several thousands protesters converged on parliament for further rallies. | Later, several thousands protesters converged on parliament for further rallies. |
| "This president has dug his own grave," said opposition leader Nino Burjanadze. | "This president has dug his own grave," said opposition leader Nino Burjanadze. |
| "We'll be standing and fighting till the very end." | "We'll be standing and fighting till the very end." |
| Distraction | Distraction |
| Georgia is hosting a series of Nato training exercises which have angered Russia | Georgia is hosting a series of Nato training exercises which have angered Russia |
| On Tuesday, Mr Saakashvili claimed his government had put down a brief mutiny among a tank battalion. | On Tuesday, Mr Saakashvili claimed his government had put down a brief mutiny among a tank battalion. |
| Tbilisi had said it was part of a Russian-linked coup attempt to kill Mr Saakashvili. | |
| But opposition parties said the alleged mutiny was a deliberate attempt by the government to distract attention from the new phase of anti-government protests. | But opposition parties said the alleged mutiny was a deliberate attempt by the government to distract attention from the new phase of anti-government protests. |
| The latest unrest comes as Georgia hosts a series of Nato training exercises amid angry condemnation from Russia. | The latest unrest comes as Georgia hosts a series of Nato training exercises amid angry condemnation from Russia. |
| They are taking place close to areas where Russian troops are stationed in Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia. | They are taking place close to areas where Russian troops are stationed in Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia. |
| Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev said the drills, involving more than 1,000 soldiers from 18 countries, were "an overt provocation". | Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev said the drills, involving more than 1,000 soldiers from 18 countries, were "an overt provocation". |