At least five nationalists were wounded in a shootout with security and police officers, Georgia's Security Service reported.
The nationalists were led by former Defense Minister Tengiz Kitovani and former Prime Minister Tengiz Sigua. At a rally Friday morning, the two vowed to "liberate" Abkhazia.
Sigua said the force was going to take up position near the border town of Zugdidi and demand the return of refugees from the Abkhazian conflict.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.