Bribing People by “Second Hand Clothes”

In the villages of Ozurgeti district second-hand goods are distributed in exchange of the ID number. Citizens claim that this is pre-election bribery and say that similar forms of bribery were introduced before the 2010 elections of the local self-government.

Residents of the village of Chanieti were the first to receive the second-hand clothes and it continues in other villages too.

Currently, residents of the small towns of Naruji and Laituri in Ozurgeti district received the second-hand clothes. In these territorial entities the ruling party always won 100 % of votes during every election. Supposedly, the locals received the presents for their good behavior. The residents of the small towns say they were promised to receive food products too.

Governor of Naruji town Vladimer Beridze said he does not recognize the people who brought the goods. However, he confirmed that after providing IDs and signing the document, 200 families received second hand clothes.

“It has nothing to do with the elections. I will be glad if local people receive humanitarian aid; I cannot see anything bad in it,” said the governor.

Head of the public relation department of the Ozurgeti district administration Iza Darchia said that the goods were sent by charity organization Caritas to Ozurgeti district.

-Why do the distributors request IDs when distributing goods?

-It is wrong information.

-I cannot agree, people claim it.

-I cannot say anything, I cannot confirm the information.

-Ok, then tell me why did you choose those particular villages?

-It was wish of the charity organization and they selected the villages.

-Why was the local authority involved in the distribution process?

-Who told you that?

-People said. 

-They had to store the second hand goods somewhere.

-What do you mean?

-The charity organization requested the district administration to resolve the problem and we gave them space to store the goods.

Governors of various villages in Ozurgeti district are looking forward to the second-hand clothes.

Shorena Ghlonti, Guria