14 March 2008, 11:35
Five opposition members on hunger strike in Georgia brought to hospital
Yesterday on March 13, on the fifth day of hunger strike of the Georgian United Opposition which is being held in front of the parliament building in Tbilisi, five of its members were brought to the hospital within the day.
New volunteers who are citizens of Georgia joined the hunger strike instead of those who were placed under the care of doctors.
For reference, the hunger strike is under way now in three locations - the reception office of the Georgian parliament speaker, in front of the parliament building and in the central office of the National Democratic Party.
The largest hunger strike is on the stair-case of the parliament building. At present, there are 25 tents of various sizes in front of the parliament. Approximately up to 70 people take part in the action, they are under permanent supervision of volunteer doctors and undergo examination three times a day - morning, day and evening. During the day, the doctors visit all tents with hunger strikers, reports IA "News-Georgia".
Despite this fact, the hunger strikers go on demanding that "Emergency" brigades must be constantly on duty in the vicinity of the action.
16 representatives of the National Democratic Party are now on hunger strike in the NDP office. On March 13, one of the hunger strikers felt bad, but three more persons joined the action instead of him.
Kakhaber Shartava, one of the leaders of the United Opposition and leader of the "National Forum" party says that the number of people wishing to join the action is growing. However, the opposition can not allow everyone to take part in the action as there are not enough tents, mattresses and blankets.
