District Administrations transported people to the assembly of the National Movement in Batumi

Maka Malakmadze, Adjara

On September 8, teachers and pupils, pensioners alongside with administrative resource of the districts of Adjara Autonomous Republic were brought to the National Movement’s assembly in Batumi by mini-buses. The district administrations covered travel expenses. However, they had not announced bid for transport service.

On September 8, the assembly of the National Movement was held in the Europe Square in Batumi. About 5 thousand people were brought here by mini-buses from the morning. Some buses had even election number 5 of the UNM on their windows.

Employees of district administrations and city council, lecturers and teachers, nurses of kindergartens, pupils and students, pensioners, socially vulnerable people were brought to the Europe Square to meet the president.

“I am going to meet the president. The district administration allocated bus for us,” Manoni Chakhvadze, teacher from Kobuleti told humanrights.ge.

“The government instructed us to bring youths to the city and we have a meeting with president,” Rezo Ustiashvili, resident of Shuakhevi told us.

Ia Mgaloblishvili and Shorena Dumbadze are pupils of the 10th grade. They said they had arrived at the Europe Square according to their own wish: “We came here by ourselves. We want to meet the president. They gave t-shirts to us here.”

Nazi Varshanidze, 74, from Khelvachauri: “We came here… I do not know… we came here… we like the president and want him to stay in the government.”

Guli Varshanidze, 72, resident of Khelvachauri: “Saakashvili has done everything for us. What shall I name concretely… we are satisfied because we live in peace. 2008 war was not his fault.”

Gaioz Gogitidze, resident of Akhalsopeli: “I came here to attend concert. I am wearing t-shirt because I love Georgia. I support the National Movement because I like their activities. They take care of people and we have everything.”

Jemal Bolkvadze, head of Khulo Auto-Transportation Company: “Local administration ordered to serve local population by 80 mini-buses and take them to Batumi. I do not know how many people they will take there. I was negotiating on the issue with the district administration.”

A mini-bus driver anonymously told Human Rights Center that he had brought citizens from Kobuleti and district administration had paid 70 lari for that service.

It is noteworthy that state institutions shall implement all similar service purchases through online registration and relevant information must be published on the website:  http://www.tenders.procurement.gov.ge/. However, none of the district administrations of Adjara Autonomous Republic have announced bids on the transportation service on that website.

Law enforcement officers were checking every citizen with detector who had arrived at the Europe Square. Part of citizens had special permits and they could approach the stage; others could not; neither Human Rights Center could approach the stage. Police officer demanded us to show either permit or accreditation issued by the National Movement. Journalist’s ID was not enough for them. He did not know who could issue accreditation on us.

The assembly started with the concert of Georgian singers. Georgian president appeared on the stage at 2:05 pm.

“Our most important achievement is not electricity supply and rehabilitated roads but our freedom from fear. We have gained personal independence… what we are doing is renaissance, realization of real dreams and not like Russia and their alleys here [Georgian Dream] promise us,” President Mikheil Saakashvili said in Batumi.

UNM’s majoritarian candidate in Batumi Giorgi Baramidze and head of Adjara government Levan Varshalomidze also made speeches in Era Square.

The assembly of the National Movement lasted 2 hours including the concert in Batumi.