15:02, 6 February 2004

NGOs stage protest action in front of Russian Embassy in Tbilisi

22 Georgian non-government organizations (NGOs) staged an action of protest in front of the Russian Embassy in Tbilisi on February 5.

Action participants demanded that the Russian side should take immediate measures to release the activist of the Association of Young Lawyers and Political Scientists, 25-year-old David Badjagua, who was abducted by an armed group in the Zugdidi district of Georgia on January 27 and is being held on the territory controlled by the Abkhazian side.

Participants expressed a protest against the inaction of Russian peacekeepers, who, as Georgian NGO activists believe, must avert such incidents in the conflict zone and provide order and security their.

The organizational committee of the action failed to meet with officials of the Russian Embassy. But Georgian NGO activists announce they intend to continue meetings and pickets demanding David Badjagua's release.

Editors note: See also the article "Abkhazian side promises to set Georgian NGO activist David Badjagua free till end of week".

Source: Novosti-Gruzia Information Agency