Saakashvili Offers Abashidze to Flee Adjara, Guarantees Security

Batumi braced for mass protest on May 4.

“I talked twice on phone with Russian President Vladimer Putin today. I urged Mr. Putin to grant Aslan Abashidze political asylum. I vowed that Georgia will never demand his extradition, despite the grave crimes committed by him [Abashidze]. But we are ready to make this in order to avoid bloodshed,” Mikheil Saakashvili said at a press conference on May 5.

“We have not received reply from Russians yet. Moscow considers our proposal,” Mikheil Saakashvili said.

Secretary of the Russian Security Council Igor Ivanov will arrived today in Tbilisi and then head to Batumi to hold talks with Aslan Abashidze.

Igor Ivanov visited Georgia last November and mediated between by then opposition leader Mikheil Saakashvili and Georgian ex-President Eduard Shevardnadze, that led to latter’s resignation. Igor Ivanov served as Russia’s Foreign Minister last November.

He added that Georgian government will guarantee security to Aslan Abashidze and his family in case he will resign. “Several hours are left before the final victory,” Mikheil Saakashvili added as a hint that Abashidze is ready for resignation.

He said that after Abashidze’s resignation direct presidential rule will be imposed in Adjara, before the holding of snap local elections in the region. “Adjara will retain autonomous status, but before the elections direct presidential rule will be imposed,” Mikheil Saakashvili added.

President Saakashvili also said that Adjarian Interior Minister Jemal Gogitidze, as well Security Minister Soso Gogitidze and his deputies will enjoy with security guarantees. Georgian General Prosecutor’s Office brought criminal charges against all of these officials in March.

He also said that Georgia should be “proud, because we have managed to carry out two bloodless revolutions during several months.” Last November peaceful demonstrations in Tbilisi forced ex-President Shevardnadze to resign.