500 strong Tallinn demonstration

TALLINN - Before the start of an extraordinary session of the Estonian parliament in Tallinn a 500-strong demonstration in Georgia's support took place in front of the parliament building on Tuesday.

Organized by the Pro Patria and the Res Publica Union (IRL), the Reform Party, the People's Union and the Greens Party demonstrators carried Georgian and Estonianflags and posters expressing support to Georgia.

The Georgian charge d'affaires Zurab Marshania and several present and former Estonian politicians, including members of parliament from IRL Ene Ergma, Mart Laar, Andres Herkel; Toomas Alatalu from the Peoples's Union, Marek Strandberg from the Greens and the Social Democrat Mark Soosaar took part in the meeting.

Taking the floor, Reformist Silver Meikar demanded Russia's expulsion from the Council of Europe and G8 and trial of the warmongers who attacked Georgiaby an international tribunal. Meikar also reiterated his view that Russiashould be not have the right to organize the Sochi Olympic Games of 2014.

A signature drive for an appeal to stop Russian activity in Georgiabegan at the demonstration. Signatures can also be given at the Georgian embassy between 1pm and 3pm beginning Wednesday.

"Allowing Russia to continue its activity in Georgia unpunished we can no longer be sure that peace in the world is possible," stated the appeal, which asked all international orgazations of which Estonia is a member to help Georgia.

Mihkel Loide, a spokesman for the North Police Prefecture told BNSthat the police detained three men at the demonstration of about 300 people. They disturbed the course of the demonstration by their behavior and Oleg, born 1954, Alexander, born 1959 and Sergei, born 1958, were taken to the police station.