TBILISI, March 19 (RIA Novosti) - A U.S.-based human rights organization has urged President Bush to demand a full probe into last November's riots in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi from Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili.

President Bush met with the Georgian leader at the White House on Wednesday, and the Human Rights Watch organization had earlier called on the U.S. leader to press the Western-leaning Saakashvili to launch an investigation into violence at last year's opposition rallies.

Georgia was rocked by opposition rallies for six days last November as protestors occupied central Tbilisi demanding Saakashvili's resignation over allegations of corruption and increasing authoritarianism.

The Georgian leader responded by sending in riot police to crack down on protestors on November 7. Over 500 people were injured according to Human Rights Watch as police used rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannons to break up the demonstrations.

"Our research clearly shows that the Georgian government crossed the line when police chased and beat peaceful demonstrators, and threatened and intimidated journalists," said a Human Rights Watch spokesman.

The organization addressed President Bush in an open letter on March 18.

"Your forthcoming meeting with President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia is an important opportunity to emphasize the importance of justice and accountability for violence that shook the country on November 7, 2007," the letter begins, going on to say that the effectiveness of a planned parliamentary commission to investigate the riots would be "questionable."

"Today the United States must promote justice in Georgia as actively as it protected democracy in it before", the letter also said, pointing out that, "No friend of Georgia is in a better position than you to press this issue with President Saakashvili."

Human Rights Watch is, according to its website, "an independent, nongovernmental organization, supported by contributions from private individuals and foundations worldwide. It accepts no government funds, directly or indirectly."