Saakashvili's supporters end hunger strike

The mass hunger strike demanding the release of the former president of Georgia was stopped after Mikheil (Mikhail) Saakashvili threatened to join his supporters' protest action, the "United National Movement" (UNM) Party has informed.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on December 21, members of the oppositional UNM Party went on a mass hunger strike intending to continue it until the ex-president was released. By December 30, 180 people were hunger-striking; 14 of them were hospitalized.

The hunger strike was held in tents set up near the UNM head office in Tbilisi; it has ended, said Nika Meliya, the UNM chairman. According to his story, Saakashvili himself convinced his supporters to stop the action, the "News-Georgia" writes.

Mr Meliya has explained that Saakashvili was concerned about the hunger-strikers health, and expressed his readiness to resume his own hunger strike.

"He will be forced to resume his hunger strike, which should not be allowed, because this will lead to a fatal outcome. Therefore, together with our comrades-in-arms, we decided to move on to the next struggle phase, which will be non-violent and will continue until justice prevails in the country," the Channel One of the Georgian TV has quoted Nika Meliya as stating.

Let us remind you that on December 27, Saakashvili fainted after they tried to force him to prison from the military hospital in Gori, where he is undergoing treatment after his hunger strike. On December 30, Saakashvili was returned to the Rustavi Prison.