Mikheil Saakashvili

(Newser) - Georgia President Mikhail Saakashvili today announced a special early presidential election for Jan. 5, an apparent attempt to end the massive civil unrest in Tbilisi, the capital of the former Soviet republic. It was an abrupt about-face for Saakashvili, who had refused even to consider elections; January's vote could shorten...

(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...