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| Georgia under state of emergency | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Georgia's President Mikhail Saakashvili has declared a 15-day, nationwide state of emergency after police broke up a sixth day of opposition protests. | Georgia's President Mikhail Saakashvili has declared a 15-day, nationwide state of emergency after police broke up a sixth day of opposition protests. |
| In a televised address, Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli said a coup attempt had been made. | In a televised address, Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli said a coup attempt had been made. |
| Mr Saakashvili earlier said "Russian special services" were behind the unrest in Georgia. | Mr Saakashvili earlier said "Russian special services" were behind the unrest in Georgia. |
| The president has rejected the protesters' accusations of corruption and says he will not quit. | |
| The prime minister initially announced a state of emergency in the capital Tbilisi for 48 hours, but that was later extended to the whole country for 15 days. | The prime minister initially announced a state of emergency in the capital Tbilisi for 48 hours, but that was later extended to the whole country for 15 days. |
| The emergency measures include a ban on street protests and independent television stations, the Georgian Economics Minister Georgy Arveladze said in a statement. | The emergency measures include a ban on street protests and independent television stations, the Georgian Economics Minister Georgy Arveladze said in a statement. |
| Earlier in the day, police had used water cannon, tear gas and batons to break up opposition protests outside parliament. | Earlier in the day, police had used water cannon, tear gas and batons to break up opposition protests outside parliament. |
| Officials said 500 people had sought medical treatment, most to be treated for the effects of tear gas. | Officials said 500 people had sought medical treatment, most to be treated for the effects of tear gas. |
| The White House said it was "concerned" by the unrest in Georgia, the AFP news agency reported. | The White House said it was "concerned" by the unrest in Georgia, the AFP news agency reported. |
| "We are concerned about the reports from Georgia. We urge that any protests be peaceful and that both sides refrain from violence," US national security council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said. | "We are concerned about the reports from Georgia. We urge that any protests be peaceful and that both sides refrain from violence," US national security council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said. |
| Diplomatic expulsions | Diplomatic expulsions |
| Speaking before he declared a state of emergency, Mr Saakashvili said his country faced "a very serious threat of unrest". | Speaking before he declared a state of emergency, Mr Saakashvili said his country faced "a very serious threat of unrest". |
| HAVE YOUR SAY Mikhail Saakashvili did the right thing by declaring a 48-hour emergency it was necessary Shah, Georgia Send us your comments | |
| "High ranking officials in Russian special services are behind this," he said, adding that he had evidence. | "High ranking officials in Russian special services are behind this," he said, adding that he had evidence. |
| He said several Russian diplomats would be expelled from Georgia for engaging in "espionage". | He said several Russian diplomats would be expelled from Georgia for engaging in "espionage". |
| Earlier he had recalled Georgia's ambassador to Moscow for "consultations". | Earlier he had recalled Georgia's ambassador to Moscow for "consultations". |
| Moscow has called his allegations irresponsible and said any expulsion of Russian diplomats would be followed by an "adequate response". | Moscow has called his allegations irresponsible and said any expulsion of Russian diplomats would be followed by an "adequate response". |
| The foreign ministry said the remarks were "anti-Russian hysteria". | The foreign ministry said the remarks were "anti-Russian hysteria". |
| Mr Saakashvili has rejected the allegations of corruption | Mr Saakashvili has rejected the allegations of corruption |
| Police used tear gas and water cannon after several thousand protesters tried to occupy Rustaveli Avenue - Tbilisi's main thoroughfare. | Police used tear gas and water cannon after several thousand protesters tried to occupy Rustaveli Avenue - Tbilisi's main thoroughfare. |
| The protesters say the police response demonstrates Mr Saakashvili's authoritarian tendencies but police said they had to unblock the capital's main road. | The protesters say the police response demonstrates Mr Saakashvili's authoritarian tendencies but police said they had to unblock the capital's main road. |
| The main opposition television station has gone off air. Just before, a presenter said police special forces had entered the building. | The main opposition television station has gone off air. Just before, a presenter said police special forces had entered the building. |
| Opposition supporters have been gathering outside parliament every day since Friday, when 50,000 people attended the largest street protest seen since the 2003 "Rose Revolution" that brought pro-Western Mr Saakashvili to power. | Opposition supporters have been gathering outside parliament every day since Friday, when 50,000 people attended the largest street protest seen since the 2003 "Rose Revolution" that brought pro-Western Mr Saakashvili to power. |
| The protesters accuse him of corruption and of not doing enough to tackle poverty. | The protesters accuse him of corruption and of not doing enough to tackle poverty. |
| They are calling for the president's resignation and a fresh election. | They are calling for the president's resignation and a fresh election. |
| Many of the protesters back the president's former ally, Irakli Okruashvili, who was arrested last month shortly after he said Mr Saakashvili had plotted to kill a top businessman. | Many of the protesters back the president's former ally, Irakli Okruashvili, who was arrested last month shortly after he said Mr Saakashvili had plotted to kill a top businessman. |
| He was later released on a multimillion-dollar bail and went to Germany. The government says Mr Okruashvili's accusations are "false and baseless". | He was later released on a multimillion-dollar bail and went to Germany. The government says Mr Okruashvili's accusations are "false and baseless". |