Tbilisi: several hunger-strikers turn to doctors

The capital of Georgia is hosting a mass hunger strike of supporters of Mikhail Saakashvili, a former President of Georgia. It total, there are 150 hunger-strikers; and yesterday, three of them stopped their protest action following doctors' recommendation. Over the past 24 hours, several hunger-strikers had increased blood tension; and doctors rendered medical help to them.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on December 21, the Saakashvili's birthday, his supporters went out to an action in Tbilisi. Activists of the oppositional "United National Movement" (UNM) Party intend to continue their hunger strike until the politician is back at large. In their turn, members of the ruling "Georgian Dream" Party have reproached Saakashvili for forcing his supporters to hold the action.

"I believe that we'll achieve the fulfilment of our basic demand, and Saakashvili will be released. If the West really wants to see Georgia as its partner, then it will have to take efficient steps towards this, for example, introduce sanctions," Giorgi Mumladze, one of the hunger-strikers, had stated.

Kakha Kvekveskiri, another hunger-striker, has admitted that he had quite "modest" expectations for Saakashvili's release as a result of the protests. However, the protest itself plays a big role, as the people observing the situation in the country see our unanimity; they also see that "this form of protest will have an impact on the authorities," said the man.