SOS: Political Terror in Georgia

Political terror has taken full force in Georgia . IMEDTI TV, the only independent television station was just closed down by SWAT teams in Tbilisi . Subway and bus services were shut off to prevent people from getting to the streets.

Today, November 7, 2007 at approximately 5 am Georgian SWAT teams violently dispelled a peaceful manifestation outside the building of Parliament in Tbilisi . Police used teargas, water, rubber bullets and blunt force clubs against peaceful demonstrations. Opposition leaders who were engaged in a hunger strike and lying on the street were severely beaten. The official explanation by President Saakashvili and Chairwoman of Parliament Nino Budjanadze was the need to restore traffic movement in the main street.

On 7 pm, another group of demonstrators were attacked in the old part of the town. Many were cornered and severely beaten in sidewalks and churches.

363 people are hospitalized, suffering injuries. Leader of Peopleўs Party Koba Davitashvili has been missing for hours, until it became known that he is in the critical condition hospitalized in Gori. Levan Gachechiladze, who was on hunger strike, is in critical condition in the hospital from gas poisoning. The Public Defender of Georgia, Sozar Subari was beaten. Goga Khaindrava, former State Minister of Conflict Resolution and Board member of the Egalitarian Institute and leader of demonstrators was detained on charges of resisting to police. Konstantine Gamsakhurdia of Freedom Party, Levan Berdzenishvili of Republican Party, Shalva Natelashvili of Labour Party are accused of spying for Russia , based upon some questionable tapes displayed by Georgian Ministry of Interior.

For the moment, members of the Parliamentary Majority and the President have made statements, threatening to arrest those that speak against the clampdown.

Persecution of demonstrators and physical assaults continues for the moment. Many of them, including journalists have found shelter in churches and in neighborhood buildings.

We ask the international community to pressure Saakashviliўs government to stop the persecution of innocent people. It is only in the hands of international community to stop ongoing political terror in Georgia . Unfortunately, Saakashviliўs government has revealed its authoritarian nature, ordering SWAT teams to violently curb peaceful protest. As persecution continues, timely interference from allied states and international organizations can save lives.