Five Opposition Politicians Go on Hunger Strike
Three lawmakers and two other opposition politicians have started a hunger strike, which they said would continue until their demands were met.
MP Zviad Dzidziguri of the Conservative Party said at a protest rally outside Parliament on March 9 he and four other hunger strikers would demand: repeat presidential elections; conditions conducive for free and fair parliamentary elections and the release of those arrested in connection with the November 7 events. Eight have been released, while others still remain in jail, according to the opposition.
Other hunger strikers include: MP Gia Tortladze of the Movement for United Georgia (a party set up by ex-Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili); MP Bidzina Gujabidze of the Conservative Party; Koba Davitashvili of the Party of People and Irakli Melashvili of the National Forum – all part of the eight-party opposition coalition.
MP Dzidziguri said that the opposition was seeking others to join the hunger strike.
He also called on supporters to rally on March 11 as Parliament debated a proposal on electing majoritarian MPs.
The number of protesters outside Parliament on March 9 was far less than during previous opposition rallies.
