Sixth anniversary of 2007 Political Crisis in Georgia

On this day, six years ago, a series of anti-government protests across Georgia ended up being dispersed by the police using tear gas and water cannons. A total of 508 people were taken to hospital, when riot police dispersed thousands of protesters in various parts of Tbilisi.

Demonstrations started on September 28, 2007. It peaked on November 2, when up to 100,000 people gathered in front of the Parliament at Tbilisi, urging President Mikheil Saakashvili to step down. The protests were organized by the coalition of major oppositional political parties.

The President accused the Russian secret services of being involved in an attempted coup detat. He declared a nation-wide state of emergency that lasted for 15 days.

Earlier that day, riot police attacked Tbilisi-based Imedi TV while the news program was being on air. The broadcaster, which the government blamed to be biased and pro-oppositional, went off. Police officers in masks and assault rifles were seen sealing off the office.

Next day, Mikheil Saakashvili announced an early presidential election for January 5, 2008, as a compromise solution.

The government was criticized for using heavy-handed tactics against the protesters. November 2007 was evaluated as the worst political crisis in Georgia since the Rose Revolution in 2003.