TBILISI, Aug 25 (AFP) - Russia's consular department in Georgia has suspended the issuance of tourist visas to Georgian nationals, a move seen as linked to an ongoing protest by several youth groups at the embassy building, Rustavi-2 television reported.
Russian diplomats had already protested to Georgian authorities over the rallies, which have been going non-stop for a week, embassy spokesman Yevgeny Ivanov told the RIA-Novosti news agency late Tuesday.
"They transmit loud music mixed with insults and do not allow the embassy to work normally and our employees and their families to sleep nights," Ivanov complained, adding that the embassy immediately appealed to Georgian police but got no reply.
Russian ties with Georgia had been severely strained lately, particularly over Georgia's offensive against the breakaway region of South Ossetia, a move which infuriated Moscow.