Georgia Says Russia Behind Mass Upheaval

Former Soviet republic declares state of emergency after alleged coup attempt

By Sam Gale Rosen, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 7, 2007 2:20 PM CST

(Newser) – Saying Russian intelligence was behind six days of mass protests, the president of the former Soviet republic declared a state of emergency today in the capital, Tbilisi, Reuters reports. "There was an attempt at a coup and creating disorder," the prime minister said after police attacked unarmed demonstrators with batons, rubber bullets, and tear gas.

"We cannot let our country become the stage for dirty geo-political escapades by other countries," said President Mikhail Saakashvili, whose desire to join NATO and the EU is a sore point with Moscow. The pro-Western Saakashvili has been accused by opponents of exhibiting the same corrupt, authoritarian tendencies as the country's former Communist bosses.

Anti-government protesters confront security forces, unseen, firing a water cannon against the protesters outside the parliament in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Wednesday Nov. 7, 2007. Georgian security forces... (Associated Press)

Georgia's President Mikhail Saakashvili speaks during a meeting in his office in Tbilisi, Monday, Nov. 5, 2007. Opponents of Saakashvili - many of them former allies - have led daily rallies on the capital's... (Associated Press)

Riot police officers stand at an deserted area near the parliament, background, in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Wednesday Nov. 7, 2007, after a confrontation with anti-government protesters. Georgian security... (Associated Press)

Riot police fire tear gas towards anti-government protesters in downtown Tbilisi, Wednesday Nov. 7, 2007, driving them from the central part of the capital. Georgian security forces fired tear gas and... (Associated Press)

People watch Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili's televised address in Tbilisi, Wednesday Nov. 7, 2007. Georgian security forces fired tear gas and water cannons into a crowd of hundreds of anti-government... (Associated Press)

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Former Soviet republic declares state of emergency after alleged coup attempt

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Former Soviet republic declares state of emergency after alleged coup attempt

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

NATO • Georgia • Tbilisi • Mikheil Saakashvili

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Georgia Needs Our Help—Not a Seat at NATO

Investment, not guns, is the way to face down Russia: Kristof

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Government withdraws earlier claims of Moscow-backed coup

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Tbilisi says Russia-backed revolt was set to topple government

Russian Role in CIA Agent's Murder Probed

Questions linger over 1993 killing as Georgia's geopolitical significance surges

Georgia Pushing to Rebuild Shattered Army Even Bigger

Nation hopes for US help in building modern military to face Russia threat

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Newser By Users

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