14:17, 10 January 2004

Georgian authorities demand evidence of guilt of Kmara movement activists arrested in Adjaria

All the accusations brought by a court in Adjaria against the activists of the youth movement must be substantiated, Acting President of Georgia Nino Burdjanadze demanded on Friday December 9. "If not, the reaction to the unjust court decision will be keen and we will do everything to dismiss these young people," she said. The question is about the Georgian citizens who were arrested in Batumi by the Adjarian police three days ago for calling to the resignation of the autonomy's leader Aslan Abashidze.

Abashidze himself considered the activity of these young people to be an attempt to disturb a situation in Adjaria. On December 9, the Batumi court made a decision on a three-month secure placement for the two activists. Tbilisi, in its turn, believes this case to be a one of political persecution.

Editors note: See also the article "Persecution of oppositionists in Batumi".

Source: Ekho Moskvy Radio