Georgians March to Oust ‘Pro-Russia’ Govt After Brutal Crackdown
Protests demanding for the ousting of the ruling government have paralysed Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi.
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Video Editor: Varun Sharma
Protests have paralysed Georgia’s capital Tbilisi since Thursday, 20 June. The protests started when Russian MP Sergei Gavrilov addressed the Georgian parliament from the Speaker’s seat, leaving the opposition and the masses outraged. Georgia has accused Russia of annexing 20% of its territory in the 2008 war, in which Russia claims it simply supported the self-proclaimed republics in their quest for independence from Georgia.
Protesters stormed towards the parliament, where they clashed with the police who engaged in a brutal crackdown that injured 240 protesters.
By Friday, 21 June, protesters demanded the ruling government be ousted, accusing them of being pro-Russia. They demanded the resignation of several officials including the parliamentary speaker, interior minister and state security service chief, and that snap elections be held.
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree ordering a temporary ban on fights between Russia and Georgia. The decree further ordered the Russian parliament to bring back all Russian citizens currently in Georgia and discouraged travel companies from sending tourists to Georgia.
The protests entered their fourth day on Monday, 24 June.