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Georgian opposition protests opening of new parliament

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Around 100 opposition supporters have gathered in central Tbilisi to protest the first session of the new Georgian parliament following elections in the Caucasus state on May 21.
TBILISI, June 7 (RIA Novosti) - Around 100 opposition supporters have gathered in central Tbilisi to protest the first session of the new Georgian parliament following elections in the Caucasus state on May 21.

The activists gathered during the early hours after President Mikheil Saakashvili had unexpectedly announced that parliament would hold its initial session on Saturday. He had previously said that parliament would meet for the first time on June 10.

Opposition lawmakers plan to attend parliament to resign their seats in protest at what they say were rigged parliamentary polls.

The protestors formed a 'corridor of shame' to meet MPs from Saakashvili's United National Movement, which won 119 out of 150 seats in parliament in the disputed elections.

More opposition members are expected to join the protest later.

The Georgian opposition had earlier promised to instigate a "people's rebellion" if they suspected the elections of being rigged. Police and special forces have been deployed to the centre of the city.

"We will not use violence," pledged an opposition leader, Levan Gachechiladze, after calling supporters to parliament. He went on to label both Saakashvili's presidency and the new parliament "illegitimate," saying they had no right to "carry on political activities."

Georgia was rocked by opposition riots for six days in November 2007 as protestors occupied central Tbilisi demanding the resignation of Saakashvili. The Georgian leader responded by sending in riot police to crack down on protestors.

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