Web Portal on Human Rights in Georgia
ARTICLES
2007-11-14
Weeping Journalists
Law enforcement began operations against journalists on the morning of November 7th. Journalists covering ongoing events in front of the Georgian Parliament had their cameras seized. David Usupashvili, one of the leaders of Republican Party, points out that many reports were made by foreign journalists who, upon seeing the treatment of Georgian journalists, left the area in order to save their taken materials.The Human Rights Center interviewed journalists who were injured during the chaos of November 7. Gas poisoning is not considered an injury because it affected both the journalists and ordinary people in a similar fashion.
2007-11-14
Independent Batumi TV Channel 25 Shut Down
With the shut down of the independent Batumi’s TV-25, the station’s employees have not worked in several days. “Law enforcement has forbidden us from broadcasting news items without legal documentation,” stated Channel 25’s founder, Merab Merkviladze.
On November 7th at 1:00 AM, criminal police officers and riot police entered the independent TV station. The operation was executed on the orders of Davit Bedia, head of the Adjara Main Department within the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Since that raid, TV-25 has been closed.
2007-11-13
Journalist from Zugdidi Injured in Car-crash Demands Patrol Police Investigators Be Punished
Nana Firtskhalava claims law enforcement has covered up a crime.
Journalist Nana Firtskhalava, the victim of a car crash, categorically demands a criminal case be launched against Demna Sordia, former head of the Patrol Police Investigation Department, and Arkadi Jikia, an investigator. Firtskhalava submitted a special appeal to Regional Prosecutor Ronald Akhalaia in vain. Firtskhalava blames Davit Kekenadze, Judge of the Zugdidi District Court, and his assistant, Nana Antia, Nino Meskhi, the head of the Correspondence Department within the State Chancellery.
2007-11-13
Strange Adventures of Four Journalists on Their Way to Batumi
They
cannot state the exact reasons for the incident, but one thing is
obvious - the patrol police stopped their mini bus, by which they were
going to Batumi to attend a seminar, for no reason. The police arrested
the driver and moved the mini bus to the car impound lot. As for the
journalists, they barely arrived at their destination three hours
later, after the chairman of the Constitutional Court got involved in
the case. 2007-11-12
Bank Seizes Pension from Disabled Pensioner Instead of Loan
72-year-old Shota Gorgadze applied to the Human Rights Center’s Adjara Bureau. He needed legal assistance while appealing against the decision made by Batumi Civil Court on October 16, 2007.2007-11-09
The Two-Week Information Vacuum Has Begun!
Government representatives have not hesitated in making statements “warning” print media about their behavior, even as both TV and radio broadcasting, the main forums for disseminating information in Georgia, has been severely restricted. Levan Bezhuashvili, chairman of Parliament’s Legal Affairs committee, when speaking to journalists stated, “although there are many allegations against the print media, I hope that every editor and journalist will maintain a civil position and recognize that the country really needs stability and objective reporting of current events.”
07.11.08->photos
http://www.myvideo.ge/?video_id=82176
2007-11-09
Gamsakhurdia and Natelashvili Disappeared
Several opposition leaders disappeared since the
November 7 demonstrations. Nobody knows the location of Koko
Gamssakhurdia and Shalva Natelashvili. Davit Usufashvili, leader of the Republic Party, stated
that everybody was poisoned after dispersal. Members of his party feel
better and are discussing the future plans of their activities. As for
the members of other parties, their situation is much vaguer.2007-11-08
“I Can’t Believe That There Were no Casualties”
Hospitals are now overcrowded after the mass tear gas
poisoning yesterday. The Human Rights Center tried to visit injured
people in the hospital, but was not allowed entry to Republic hospital
to interview patients. The reason given was one without precedent:
There was not enough room given the number of people being treated
there. 2007-11-08
Clubs and Tear Gas used against Students in Batumi
Students at Batumi State University were in their class rooms when tear gas was released into class rooms during lectures. Injured students were taken from the university building by emergency medical personnel. 2007-11-06
Relatives of the Dead Person Demand to Punish Patrol Policemen
Discussion of a famous case has resumed at the Kutaisi Court of Appeal. Family members of Varlam Pkhakadze, who was murdered in front of his house last year, have instructed attorney Rezo Tofuria to appeal to the verdict against patrol policemen Ivane Kapatadze, Dato Minashvili, Avalo Gabrichidze and Kakha Gabunia. Tofuria is demanding that the court to sentence the condemned to the maximum penalty. The policemen have also launched their own appeal, hoping to lessen their penalties. 2007-11-05
“We Are Not Afraid. We Are Tired”
Current events in Georgia have brought people out on the
streets in protest. For four days, people from all over Georgia have
arrived in Tbilisi to express their feelings in front of Parliament.
There are Georgians who couldn’t come to the capital for different
reasons, but they share the demonstrators’ feelings and state
unanimously that, “they are not afraid, but they are very tired,” of
the Georgian government’s behavior.2007-11-05
Meskheti Region Joins General Protest
On
November 1st, members of the National Council arrived in the regions of
Georgia to organize the General Public Movement. MP Bezhan Gunava and
Lasha Chkhartishvili, a representative of the Egalitarian Institute,
visited the Samtskhe-Javakheti Region.2007-11-05
Most Part of Celebrated People Support Demonstrators
“Fountains and raping people-these are characterizing features of present government.”
What do
Georgian celebrities think about the events happening in Tbilisi in
front of the Parliament building? What do they expect from it?-these
questions were asked to several outstanding figures of Georgian society
by the Human Rights Center.
2007-11-02
Whose PR Made Gori Municipality Press Service Center Tired
Gori Municipality spokeswoman and other employees of the
Press Service Center left their job. Former spokeswoman Sofiko
Rezrichenko stated that it was difficult to PR the government. 2007-11-02
Welded Octahedral Concrete Nails against Demonstrators
Special Forces of the Georgian Ministry of Internal
Affairs were throwing octahedral concrete nails for the demonstrators
who were traveling to Tbilisi from Samegrelo Region.
Samegrelo population started preparation to attend the demonstration on November 2 in Tbilisi a day before.
2007-11-02
Batumi-Tbilisi Tunnel Is Passed Through
An artificially blocked road, police barricades, seized car registration papers and mini-buses - everything reminds people of Aslan Abashidze’s regime (former chairman of the Adjara Supreme Council). “Everything was in the same way four years ago too … let us see how it will end,” grandfather Vazha recalled the events that occurred four years ago. He is sorry he believed revolutionists and is worried he cannot join people in Tbilisi. However, he is glad that his son escaped policemen and did not lose his car registration papers.2007-11-02
“Ownerless” Busses were Assigned to “Empty Budget”
Gigi
Ugulava, the Tbilisi mayor, granted eight Dutch busses and two garbage
trucks to the Gori Municipality. Nevertheless, those vehicles do not
have drivers yet and a responsible person who will supply the vehicles
with petrol. Zviad Khmaladze, the chairman of the Municipality, stated
that the owner of these vehicles will be selected soon. He also stated
that the previous government left no budget for the vehicles.2007-11-02
Transport Vacuum in Gori on November 2
On November 2, only representatives of the Labor and the Republic parties from Gori will take part in the demonstration organized by the United Opposition. Two weeks ago, governmental officials and law enforcers started to seize car registration papers at the bus station. 2007-10-31
Deported Lokianis Family Dreams of Traveling to Russia Again
Tension between Georgia and Russia had reached the ultimate level in late September 2006. The number of people deported from Russia was increasing and police were detaining and arresting Georigans in the streets. Several Georgian citizens died as a result of Russian xenophobia. Zhuzhuna and Nodar Lokianis’s family were victims of this deportation.2007-10-31
The Government and Internal Ministry Threaten Ilia Chachibaia
Ilia Chachibaia, the chairman of the Zugdidi office of the Egalitarian Institute, left the Samegrelo district today. His colleagues took measures to protect him and help him avoid any further provocation. The planned briefing at the Zugdidi office of the Egalitarian Institute was not held, and the group stated that Ilia Chachibaia was targeted because of the briefing.OTHER NEWS
Interior Ministry Says it 'Foiled Terror Plot'
The video, released on behalf of the Taliban, was posted on Internet from Georgia - Irakli Gharibashvili
People Will Be Discharged from Fines for Having Illegally Constructed Buildings
11 Officers of Senaki Brigade Questioned in Akhalaia’s Case
Majoritarian Candidates Lost Interim Elections Received 5 000 Lari Back
Archive
BLOG
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EDITORIAL
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POLL
What do you think, shall the archive of illegally obtained operative materials be destroyed or not?