According to estimates, 70 to 350 men of Adzharia's rapid-reaction force have stated their opposition to Adzharian leader Aslan Abashidze and left the autonomy.
Adzharia's most acute problems include drug trafficking, lawlessness, poverty and starvation, Saakashvili said. He described as "sheer nonsense" Abashidze's allegations that Georgia's central government intends to put all high-profile businesspeople behind bars.
The Georgian judiciary launches legal proceedings against suspects and individuals suspected of treason, Saakashvili said.
"While the whole of Europe removes borders for integration, here in Georgia, we are facing the shameful fact of demarcation lines being drawn," the Georgian President said, adding that this is something that puts "our statehood in jeopardy."
