Locals, Police Clash in Akhalkalaki

Hundreds of local residents in Akhalkalaki, a town in Georgia?s south-western region of Samtskhe-Javakheti, which is predominantly populated by ethnic Armenians, rallied on October 5 protesting against the closure of trade facilities by financial police. Tensions flared up after police fired several shots into the air to disperse the rally.

President Saakashvili said while commenting on the Akhalkalaki incident, that ?there is no serious problem and law-enforcers are maintaining order in the region.?

?We are establishing control in this region [Samtskhe-Javakheti], which was out of full control over previous years. Any attempts to trigger disorders will be unsuccessful,? Saakashvili told reporters on October 6.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)