Thousands of Georgians denounce Russian 'occupier' in Tbilisi protest
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 18 July 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Thousands of Georgians denounce Russian 'occupier' in Tbilisi protest, 18 July 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/55b5f49510.html [accessed 29 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
July 18, 2015
Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Georgia's capital on July 18 to protest what they call Russia's "occupation" of the breakaway Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
More than 3,000 protesters rallied outside the state chancellery building in Tbilisi chanting "Georgia" and bearing placards denouncing Russia as an "occupier" and calling for an end to "collaboration and cooperation with the enemy."
"The Kremlin continues to use both hard and soft power in its efforts to subjugate Georgia," Tamara Chergoleishvili, an organizer of the demonstration, was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.
"We gathered here to show that Russia's aggressive policy doesn't belong to the 21st century," she added.
Moscow recognized declarations of independence by South Ossetia and Abkhazia after fighting a five-day war with Georgia in 2008, but few countries have followed suit.
Georgia considers both regions to be occupied by Russia, which has troops and enforces borders in both regions.
Based on reporting by AFP and apsny.ge
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
