Demonstration in Batumi Brutally Dispersed
On February 20, Walter Schwimmer, Secretary General of the Council of Europe paid a visit to Batumi, Adjara Autonomous Republic. On the same day, the united opposition was planning to hold a demonstration demanding the resignation of Aslan Abashidze.
Supporters of Abashidze brutally dispersed the demonstrationin. Several demonstrators have been wounded, one of them from gunfire. Dozens of people were severely beaten. Supporters of Abashidze rushed into and ravaged the offices movements “Kmara”, “Our Adjara”, and “Democratic Adjara”. Several people were detained. Police officers at the site did not even try to reestablish order. The Human Rights Information and Documentation Centre condemns this violence and the flagrant violation of internationally recognized human rights.