Anti-Russian Protests in Central Tbilisi

The former president of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili's "United National Movement" and other parties have initiated anti-Russian protests today in central Tbilisi, near the Parliament and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reports a correspondent from the VZGLYAD newspaper in Tbilisi.

They are protesting against the discussions between Grigory Karasin, a member of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, and Zurab Abashidze, the special envoy of the Georgian Prime Minister in Russia, regarding issues of economic, cultural, and humanitarian concerns between the two countries.

The opposition has expressed anti-government rhetoric, labeling members of the Georgian leadership as "slaves."

The opposition supporters wrote "20 percent" on the fence near the Parliament as a sign that the territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia are "occupied" by Russia. They also painted Soviet symbols on the asphalt during the protest.

During the action, two opposition members were detained.