Those from the village of Areshperani in Lagodekhi district have protested intended sale of the village pastures. Locals reported to the Human Rights Centre that Tariel Tedeev, former village governor, intends to purchase the pastures with the support of district governor and single mandate MP from the district and to do so would be in violation of the law. Tedeev wants to purchase the land for a Turkish businessperson.
Residents of Areshperani state that a person, legally representing the villagers, has leased the pasture from district municipality board until 2010. However, according to their information the board intends to cancel the lease documents and to sell off the land. “In this case the purchaser will be a person who will pay more for the pasture that what the locals could afford. We cannot afford a high purchase price and consequently we will not be able to raise our cattle without access to pasture. That means we will starve out as this is our means of making a living,” said the locals.
Gia Gozalishvili, Lagodekhi district governor, stated the municipality board does not intend to cancel the lease document.
Gela Mtivlishvili, Kakheti