TBILISI. May 20 (Interfax) - Several thousand supporters of the Georgian opposition group Popular Assembly intend to stand up against President Mikheil Saakashvili's rule throughout the country, the group's executive council said in a Friday statement.
"Popular Assembly begins a decisive campaign on May 21 to rid Georgia of the Saakashvili rule. Seventy-four civic resistance committees and several thousands of our supporters have been mobilized throughout the country," the statement says.
At 3:00 p.m. Tbilisi time, people will start gathering on the central squares of the Georgian capital and in Batumi "to defend their honor and constitutional rights," it says.
"All of our fellow-countrymen will gather to fight till the end for our country's salvation," it says.
The authorities have stepped up mechanisms of "psychological and moral terror," but in doing so, they "are only advancing their end," the statement says.
Popular Assembly has claimed that it has developed a consistent and clear plan that takes into account all possible scenarios.
The organization urged its supporters not to yield to provocation and follow its headquarters' instructions.
"We are struggling for democratic and free elections and are stating with all responsibility that it is only after the Saakashvili regime's departure that free and democratic elections are possible in this country. We are struggling for our homeland and its decent future," it said.