Tbilisi starts military parade after police crackdown

The military parade to mark the Georgian Independence Day has started
at Rustaveli Avenue in the center of Tbilisi. Georgian President
Mikheil Saakashvili said that the parade is being held despite
opposition's attempts to sabotage it.

The police used force against a camera group of the ANS TV. A police
officer came up to special correspondent Amil Gajiyev, took his hand
and pushed the camera away. The correspondent yelled "Azerbaijan,
Azerbaijan".

The police dispersed the protesters overnight. The opposition moved to
the Freedom Square. One police officer and an opposition member died.
About 20 people were injured. Opposition leader Ex-Speaker Nino
Burjanadze was uninjured. About 80 activists were injured. The
Georgian Foreign Ministry said that protests were permitted until May
25.

Leader of the Georgian Party, whose location had been unknown, was
reported to be in good health with his son. Their location has not
been announced.

Levan Gachechiladze's brother, Giorgi Gachechiladze, is in hospital.
The location of a leader of the People's Assembly, Irakly Batiashvili,
is unknown.