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Georgia president scorns accusers | Georgia president scorns accusers |
(about 2 hours later) | |
President Mikhail Saakashvili of Georgia has for the first time spoken about allegations levelled at him by his former defence minister. | President Mikhail Saakashvili of Georgia has for the first time spoken about allegations levelled at him by his former defence minister. |
Irakli Okruashvili accused Mr Saakashvili of leading a corrupt government and ordering the murder of political opponents. | Irakli Okruashvili accused Mr Saakashvili of leading a corrupt government and ordering the murder of political opponents. |
Mr Saakashvili branded the allegations as "unpardonable lies". | Mr Saakashvili branded the allegations as "unpardonable lies". |
He came to power in 2004 with promises to fight corruption and develop genuine democracy in Georgia. | He came to power in 2004 with promises to fight corruption and develop genuine democracy in Georgia. |
Mr Saakashvili returned from New York, where he had delivered at speech at the United Nations, to confront the allegations levelled at him by Mr Okruashvili. | Mr Saakashvili returned from New York, where he had delivered at speech at the United Nations, to confront the allegations levelled at him by Mr Okruashvili. |
"Okruashvili and everybody else knows that all the things he said about me and about the country's leadership are unpardonable lies," Mr Saakashvili said. | "Okruashvili and everybody else knows that all the things he said about me and about the country's leadership are unpardonable lies," Mr Saakashvili said. |
He insisted that one of the main principles of his life was the fight against corruption. | He insisted that one of the main principles of his life was the fight against corruption. |
Opposition protests | Opposition protests |
After the former defence minister made his accusations he was arrested on charges of corruption. | After the former defence minister made his accusations he was arrested on charges of corruption. |
class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/7019906.stm">Toughest challenge for Georgian leader | |
Mr Saakashvili defended the move, saying anyone who broke the law would get what they deserved. | Mr Saakashvili defended the move, saying anyone who broke the law would get what they deserved. |
But the former minister's allies insist his arrest was intended to silence a powerful opponent. | But the former minister's allies insist his arrest was intended to silence a powerful opponent. |
On Friday, several thousand people protested against the arrest, and against President Saakashvili's government. | On Friday, several thousand people protested against the arrest, and against President Saakashvili's government. |
On Saturday a number of leading opposition parties have united on Saturday to form a movement called the Salvation Front. | On Saturday a number of leading opposition parties have united on Saturday to form a movement called the Salvation Front. |
It is aimed at creating what they describe as an electoral revolution in Georgia to oust Mr Saakashvili, who they accuse of being authoritarian. | It is aimed at creating what they describe as an electoral revolution in Georgia to oust Mr Saakashvili, who they accuse of being authoritarian. |
But the Georgian authorities insist this is not a threat because peaceful protests are normal in any democratic country. | But the Georgian authorities insist this is not a threat because peaceful protests are normal in any democratic country. |
Mr Saakashvili was swept to power after the "Rose revolution" - the massive street demonstrations which led to the collapse of President's Eduard Shevardnadze's regime in 2003. | Mr Saakashvili was swept to power after the "Rose revolution" - the massive street demonstrations which led to the collapse of President's Eduard Shevardnadze's regime in 2003. |
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