20:42, 15 March 2004

State of emergency introduced in Adjaria

On March 15, the leader of the Adjarian autonomy, which is part of Georgia, confirmed that a state of emergency had been introduced on the territory of the autonomous republic. "A state of emergency and a curfew have been introduced," Aslan Abashidze said to Russian journalists in Batumi on March 15.

He also told there was a ban on the pre-election actions of the opposition. "The population is worried so much, this is already turning into anger, all these threats... It will end badly, very badly," Mr Abashidze described the situation in the republic.

In his opinion, the president of Georgia is illegitimate when explaining his wish to go to Adjaria by some pre-election purposes. "Saakashvili does not have any peaceful purposes: he has declared against the autonomy for a long time," Mr Abashidze said.

He does not rule out growing breakaway sentiments because of the actions being taken by the Georgian president, the Adjarian leader said.

Editors note: See also the article "Georgian president rules out use of force to assume control over Adjaria".

Source: Interfax News Agency