‘Egyptian Scenario’ and Death of 100–500 People Worth It: Georgia Opposition in Taped Recording

Georgian police on Thursday released a recording of a conversation that allegedly took place between opposition leader Nino Burjanadze and her son Anzor Bitsadze. In the recording, they discuss the possibility of inciting civil war in Georgia and agreed that in order to reach their goals, the “Egyptian scenario” and death of 100 or even 500 people is possible, reports Georgia’s interior ministry.

“The land of every nation that achieved something is soaked with blood… In 200 years no blood was shed here. Know this, after you start the process, [you can’t complain that] somebody’s leg is broken or that two heads are cut off and then that’s it! [the word “all” is said in Russian]… Then you can’t go back. And I don’t think it’s bad that 40% [of the population] support Saakashvili. If they [the government] had some brains the revolution wouldn’t be necessary. What are the grounds to claim that 40% support him? Do 40% say they will vote for Saakashvili?” said Bitsadze during the conversation.

According to Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs website, in Burjanadze’s opinion, the attitude of society towards Russia is polarized and divided on a fifty-fifty basis. According to the pair’s forecasts, 30,000 demonstrators would gather at the rally. Bitsadze estimates that the army is weak and if the Kojori Special Tasks Battalion dares to shoot, they will have to deal with the Russian Military Intelligence – GRU Special Task forces.

A video of the five-minute-long audio recording — in Georgian with English subtitles — is available on the MIA website.