One police officer died and 17 were injured while driving out
protesters from Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi.
Head of the department for analysis and information Shota Utiashvili
said that the police officer died when a motorized convoy was leaving
the scene. Other officers are in a satisfactory condition. He
underlined that the police respect the right of citizens for freedom
of speech and liberty.
Organizers of the protests say that a protester also died. The
statement has not been officially confirmed.
The police blocked all Tbilisi streets crossing with Rustaveli Avenue,
where a military parade will be held later today, to prevent
opposition protesters returning.
Military and police buses are in the area. Hundreds were detained and
held at the city police directorate for the whole night. Many were
beaten and injured, some were hospitalized, RIA Novosti reports.
The police used water throwers and tear gas. Opposition members say
the police were merciless. Nino Burjanadze, a leader of the People's
Assembly and Ex-Speaker of Parliament, said that even General Radionov
had not used such harsh force while driving out protesters in Tbilisi
on April 9, 1989.
Burjanadze said that she is unaware of the location of her husband
Badri Bitsadze, Georgia Online reports.
She said that Badri was not with her when the police arrived.
Several Russian journalists were detained. A correspondent of Pirveli
confirmed it. Their names have not been announced yet. There is no
information on where they are either.
An ITAR-TASS photograph correspondent Vladimir Astapkovich reached his
hotel safely.
