Russian President Putin's decree that closes the air traffic between Russia and Georgia took effect on Monday. Interfax news agency reported this on July 8.
The document foresees that the direct air transfers between the two countries are ceased. The ban concerns both Russian and Georgian airlines.
Last flight from Moscow to Tbilisi departed on late July 7.
The reason for such a decision was the mass anti-Russian protest in Tbilisi. The massive rally started after Russian MP Sergei Gavrilov began to speak during the session of the Georgian parliament. He sat in the chair of the parliamentary speaker and spoke Russian. His speech was interrupted by opposition lawmakers who demanded that the Russian delegation leave the parliament.
The protesters demanded the resignation of the chairman of the Georgian parliament, Irakli Kobakhidze, the head of the Interior Ministry, Giorgi Gakhariya, and the head of the State Security Service, Vakhtang Gomelauri.
As a result of mass protests against the Georgian officials, 240 people were injured; 80 of them are policemen.
Head of the Georgian parliament Irakliy Kobakhidze resigned amidst the protests.
