TBILISI, March 9 (RIA Novosti, Marina Kvaratskhelia) - Five Georgian opposition parliamentarians went on hunger strike Thursday and demanded a meeting with the country's prime minister in a bid to resolve a conflict around new regulations on large fines for sales operations carried out without cash registers.
About 2,000 people gathered in the heart of Tbilisi and in front of the country's parliament building to protest new regulations, which came into force March 1.
The regulations stipulate fines starting at about $280 for sales operations carried out without cash registers, a considerable sum considering that the estimated per capita gross domestic product in 2005 equaled $3,800 in terms of purchasing power parity.
The Georgian Finance Ministry said the main aim of the new regulations was to secure consumers' rights, as well as to tighten control over traders' incomes.
Clashes with police broke out during the rally, organized by the coalition council of Georgian opposition parties, as the protestors attempted to block traffic. The organizers claimed the municipal authorities had allowed them to block the road after a similar rally was held in the Georgian capital March 1.
The protesters demanded to postpone the regulations for at least one year. Some of them also called for the dismissal of the president and government.
Although no serious incidents occurred during the rally, the opposition condemned the actions of the law enforcement agencies.
"This is a criminal case organized by the country's president and the interior minister," said Koba Davitashvili, a leader of the Georgian Conservative Party and one of the hunger-strikers.
"Our rally is legal, as five days ago we informed all the relevant bodies about our plans," he said.
The hunger-strikers are currently seeking a meeting with Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli, who said he would be able to talk to them only next week.
Kakha Kukava, an opposition parliamentarian, said they had made no political demands yet but the hunger strike could become political event if Nogaideli refused to meet with them.
"In this case, the government will bear responsibility for everything that happens," Kukava said.
Meanwhile, traders are leaving the site of the rally with an intention to gather there Friday.
A source in the State Chancellery said Nogaideli was currently meeting with the economics minister and other senior officials and did not rule out that they would discuss the disputed regulations.
