Jailed Georgian Ex-Minister on Hunger Strike in Paris Demanding Runoff – TV

Text of report by private Georgian TV station Rustavi-2 on 13 January

Irakli Okruashvili, who is currently in prison in Paris, is protesting against the official results [of the 5 January Georgian presidential election which declare incumbent President Mikheil Saakashvili as the winner outright] publicized by the Central Electoral Commission and demanding a second round of polls. The lawyer of the former defence minister, Eka Beselia, says that Okruashvili has been on hunger strike for four days with this demand.

Beselia is now in France. Okruashvili’s wife is also in Paris. Okruashvili’s lawyers tomorrow plan to appeal the French court decision remanding Okruashvili in custody. The former minister was transferred from Germany to France a few days ago. He expects to receive political asylum in France.

Originally published by Rustavi-2 TV, Tbilisi, in Georgian 1100 13 Jan 08.

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