23:30, 23 June 2009

Georgia: oppositionists on hunger strike near EU office

Several members of the NGO named "Equal Rights Institute" have started hunger strike at the representative office of the European Union in the capital of Georgia. The hunger strike is related to the events on June 15 in Tbilisi.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on June 15 a clash of policemen with oppositional activists burst out near Tbilisi GUVD, where Zurab Abashidze, one of the leaders of the "Alliance for Georgia", was wounded. Several journalists also suffered.

Murman Pataraya, spokesman of the Institute, has explained that by means of their hunger strike the NGO members try to protest against detention on June 15 during dispersal of a peaceful action at the building of central administration of Georgia's MIA of several dozens oppositionists, as reported by the "Interfax" Agency.