Javakheti Armenians and policemen came to blows
On June 24, at 10:30 a.m., scores of Javakhki Armenians planned to conduct a protest action near the Armenia Marriott Hotel where Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili was staying.
They wanted to remind the Georgian President about the concerns and problems of Javakhki Armenians which still need to be addressed. Among them are the problems of text-books, Armenian language, church, violence against national activist, etc. The protesters stated that Georgian authorities were conducting aggressive policy in relation to Georgian Armenians.
But the police intervened in protesters' attempts to see the Georgian President and drove them away to Northern Avenue. Then they chained the road letting no one enter Republican Square.
The protesters were joined by ARF youth wing's activists with flags and placards.
Policemen at the head of the chief commander of the Governmental Bodyguard Services brigade Robert Melkonian dispersed the meeting.
Minutes later the protesters regrouped near the Armenia Marriott Hotel but the police again forced them away. Policemen were seen everywhere. Both the Government Building and its environs were full of red hats and policemen who were shouldering and dragging the protesters to Tigran Mets Avenue.
Also present at today's protest rally was ARF Bureau's Hay Dat and Political Affairs Office Director Kiro Manoyan. The latter came to blows with the policemen after a heated quarrel. Kiro Manoyan resisted the red hats putting his arms around a post. Seeing Manoyan's helpless state, many protesters came to help. As a result a scuffle broke out between the ralliers and policemen.
Finally, the police were able to disperse the protesters and ease the situation. Just at that moment the protesters announced their message addressed to Mikheil Saakashvili over loudspeakers. They greeted the two Presidents' meeting and voiced hope that the meeting would help solve the problems of Javakhki Armenians.
In 15-20 minutes, at exactly 12.00, Mikheil Saakashvili left the hotel for the Tsitserakaberd though he was expected to visit the Armenian Genocide Memorial earlier today.
