Georgia accuses Russia of involvement after putting down military coup
Russia, which fought a war with neighbouring Georgia last year, denied involvement and said Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili was trying to shift the blame for his domestic problems.
Georgia’s opposition said the incident was “a show” to deflect attention from weeks of street protests against the president. Hours after news broke of a military uprising, about 30 tanks and armoured personnel carriers entered the tank base 19 kilometres from Tbilisi, followed later by Saakashvili and the defence and interior ministers. It was not clear how many of the 500 soldiers at the base were involved, but their commander was arrested and police said several other former military officers were being investigated.
