Web Portal on Human Rights in Georgia

Gurjaani Municipality has prepared convenient scheme for appropriating the budget funds-sometimes they apportioned money for guests who arrived in the region on trainings and then the Municipality staff arranged parties for them in cafes. Sometimes they allocated money on various state programs and then that money also disappeared. Georgian President made loud statement-“We are fighting the corruption together. Every public official, who will dare to appropriate state funds, will share the fate of Telavi district governor.” However, nobody remembers that statement now.

Scandalous market in Gori is being sold out without asking anything to its previous owner, Jemal Tsiklauri. Current director of the market, Anzor Kachkachishvili also confirms the fact.

This year, there are a lot of foreign tourists in Gori streets. They are from England, America, Poland, and the Ukraine. Tourists arrive in Gori to see Stalini Monument and museum. However, unlike local people, foreigners have to pay more for tickets.

On July 17, unlike other meetings, the session of the Gori Municipality started fifteen minutes later. Nukri Papunashvili, the Deputy Chairman of the Municipality, excused himself for being late.

Close relationships supports people to obtain high positions in the Shida Kartli Regional Administrative Board. According to the Press-Service Center for the Regional Gubernator, Davit Kekelishvili, former Deputy Governor, was appointed to the position of the Deputy Gubernator. During his activities in the Administrative Board, Kekelishvili patronized his brother and the latter was appointed as a director of the Sport-School. Kekelishvili apportioned 70 000 lari to his brother’s school.

Financial Police has sealed up the property of the “Gorgia” Ltd for more than one month. Officially they blame the firm for having some violations in Tax Documents. According to unofficial information the owner of the Ltd is demanded to pay five million lari or to yield one of his enterprise. The board of the “Gorgia” claims that their accountancy is transparent and they are ready to pay fine for some violations discovered in their documents. Almost 300 people are employed at the firm and their salaries range from 300 to 1000 lari a month.

The family of Abetsvashvilis, living in the Signagi District, blames the doctors of the Tsnori hospital and Tbilisi Burn Center for negligence. They claim that the doctors did not treat three-year-old Ana Betsvashvili, who was in poorest conditions with severe burn, until the media and NGOs got interested in the situation. Disabled child could enjoy the medical card, with which Abetsashvilis could be treated free of charge as well as other kind examinations, only after the increased interest in their problem.

The Human Rights Center blames the Gurjaani local authority misappropriating state funds. The non-governmental organization is demanding that a criminal investigation be opened into the alleged high-ranking governmental officials involved.