Tbilisi protesters demand to expel Russian journalist from Georgia

The journalist Vladimir Pozner, who came to Georgia with a Russian delegation to celebrate his birthday, must leave the country, as he spoke out against its territorial integrity, oppositionists have stated at an action in Tbilisi.

The protest action began in central Tbilisi at about 8:00 p.m. local time on March 31.

"It is a shame for our country and our statehood [...] People who came are Putin's propagandists; their goal is to deprive our country of its statehood," Salome Samadashvili, the leader of the oppositional "United National Movement" (UNM) Party, has stated at the protest action.

Three activists said they wanted to meet Mr Pozner at the hotel and explain to him that he was wrong on the issue of territorial integrity and to demand from him to leave Georgia. However, the policemen, who had cordoned off the building, prevented them from entering the hotel. In their turn, protesters have stated that the action will continue until Posner leaves Georgia. They have added that they plan to disrupt the celebration of the journalist's birthday. They managed to reach to the electrical panel and de-energized the hotel building.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on April 1, 2021 at 01:54 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.