Criticism is growing over plans to tear down a Soviet-era monument WWII monument in Georgia's second largest city of Kutaisi.

The Kutaisi administration plans to demolish the monument to make way for a city parliament building.

"This is not simply an act of vandalism, but part of a deliberate policy by the country's leaders to completely tear Georgia away from Russia, from its historical roots and a tradition of brotherly relations between our peoples," a joint statement by the Assembly of Russian Peoples and the Assembly of Georgian Peoples said.

The two assemblies are non-elected public organizations and have no powers, legislative or otherwise.

The Georgian opposition held a rally in front of the Kutaisi City Hall on Friday protesting against the plans.

The monument, by sculptor Merab Berzenishvili, is a gathering place for WWII veterans on WWII Victory Day.

MOSCOW, December 18 (RIA Novosti)