Dispersal of Demonstration in Ajara
Yesterday Ajara was once more the center of a clash between the supporters of Saakashvili and Abashidze.
President Saakashvili visited Batumi yesterday to attend a parade. His supporters gathered near the port and cheered him.
The confrontation began after the president's departure, when a group of police dispersed the pro-Saakashvili demonstrators, although nobody was seriously injured. Despite police attempts to break up the rally, Saakashvili's supporters continued to march through the streets of Batumi, where they came across supporters of Aslan Abashidze (Head of the Adjarian Autonomous Republic). Abashidze's supporters had previously planned a demonstration, but had to change their plans because of the unexpected visit from Saakashvili. Fortunately, no serious altercations took place between the two groups.