Tamaz Tamazashvili’s Sister Sacked on Political Grounds

Natia Danelishvili, Information Center of Kakheti

Tamar Tamazashvili, sister of Irakli Garibashvili’s father-in-law – one of the founders of the political party Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia, was sacked. Tamar Tamazashvili was teacher and deputy director at the Dedoplistskaro district Art School.

Tamar Tamazashvili told the ICK that she was fired from school on political grounds.

“Ten days ago the school director Akaki Merabishvili told me, you should submit resignation letter and quit job because you are Irakli Garibashvili’s relative. He said he was warned from higher institutions to compel me to write the resignation letter and dismiss from school. I told him I was not going to quit the job. On April 18, Wednesday, Dedoplistskaro municipal board decided to start reorganization program in the school two months before the school term finishes. They abolished the position of the deputy director at school and fired me from job. I also worked as a teacher but they did not allow me to continue my activities as a teacher. The director said he acted in accordance to the law. My brother is in prison in accordance to the same law. The Tamazashvilis are persecuted,” Tamar Tamazashvili said.

The ICK got in touch with Akaki Merabishvili, school director, to hear his comments. He said Tamar Tamazashvili was not fired on political grounds and cut off the line.

“Irakli Garibashvili has nothing to do in this particular case; simply there were some changes at school… in short, our decision was not politically grounded and if you are interested in more details, you can call the press-center of the district administration,” Akaki Merabishvili said.

ICK tried to find out the real reason of the carried out reorganization program at the Dedoplistskaro Art School with the representatives of the district administration but could not get in touch with the chairman of the municipal board Levan Bagashvili despite many attempts.

Law enforcement officers arrested Tamar Tamazashvili’s brother - Tamaz Tamazashvili, former head of Kakheti regional police department, on October 11, 2011; he was accused of illegal purchase, storage, wearing of weapon. Tamaz Tamazashvili did not plead guilty. On November 11, 2011 Tamaz Tamazashvili’s house in Leninovka village of Dedoplistskaro district was burnt. The house was set on fire in an obscure situation; the fire-brigade arrived at the place one hour later.

Irakli Garibashvili’s father Tariel Garibashvili was fired soon after Tamazashvili was arrested. He was attorney of Tsiteltskaro village territorial entity. Irakli Garibashvili is Tamaz Tamazashvili’s daughter’s husband. Garibashvili is head of Bidzina Ivanishvili’s Foundation and member of the Georgian Dream’s initiative group. Tamaz Tamazashvili’s son Lekso Tamazashvili is leader of the Georgian Dream’s district office in Dedoplistskaro.