Kakheti – Pre-Election Digest # 6

From September 15 to September 26, Information Center of Kakheti observed 14 cases of detention of the Georgian Dream’s supporters – 12 of them finished with administrative imprisonment; 9 facts of beating of political parties’ activists – 2 of them resulted into the body injury; 4 facts of failing pre-election meetings, 1 fact of firing person from job; 4 cases of oppression, 5 facts of abuse of administrative resources.

Detention of Georgian Dream’s Activists and Supporters

Shmagi Beridzishvili – was arrested in Sagarejo on September 21. Georgian Dream’s majoritarian candidate in Sagarejo district Tinatin Khidasheli said several young people attended her meeting with voters in Kochlaani village; one of them took of the National Movement’s t-shirt and put on Georgian Dream’s one. “Today police alleges Shmagi Beridzishvili compelled the young man to do so; though it did not happen,” Khidasheli said. Court imposed administrative imprisonment on Beridzishvili.

Levan Nuskhelidze – was arrested in Telavi district on September 21. “Activist of the National Movement sued Levan at police. They are palls. National Movement’s activist insulted everybody who was going to vote for the Georgian Dream. Levan could not stand it and slapped him. The former went and sued him for having physically assaulted him. Police immediately arrested Levan. Trial was held without informing anybody. They could impose 400 lari fine on him but they put him in prison for 20 days,” Georgian Dream’s zone coordinator Zurab Nuskhelidze told ICK.

Givi Nanobashvili was arrested in Tsnori, Signagi district on September 22. “Givi Nanobashvili was walking in the street together with two young men when police car approached them and officers demanded them to get into the car. The young men ran away but police officers forcibly pushed Givi Nanobashvili into the car,” head of Georgian Dream’s Signagi office Zviad Jankarashvili told ICK. Signagi court found Nanobashvili guilty in minor hooliganism and fined him with 100 lari.

Ushangi Napireli  – was arrested in Vachnadzeani village, Gurjaani district by patrol police officers on September 22. Patrol police officer Nikoloz Sazanishvili, who drew up the law violation protocol, said Ushangi Napireli was using foal language in the street and caused public disorder for what he had to arrest him. On September 22, Judge Nana Chalatashvili at Gurjaani district court found Ushangi Napireli guilty under administrative law and sent him to prison for 40 days.

Shamil Rasulov – was arrested in Chantliskure village, Kvareli district on September 24. “Patrol police arrested my husband in front of our neighbor’s house. They did not explain the reason. Initially they hid the information from us and then they said he was taken to Kvareli police. He was arrested because he supports Georgian Dream; he has not done anything wrong,” detainee’s wife Khalisa Magamedov told ICK. Kvareli district court found Shamil Rasulov guilty under administrative law and sentenced him to 60 days imprisonment.

Domenti Zuroshvili – was arrested in Nasamkhrali village in Telavi district on September 24. He pasted election posters of the Georgian Dream’s majoritarian candidate in the village and then he was sitting in the village center together with his friends. Suddenly, village attorney Gremelashvili and criminal police officer approached them, grabbed Zuroshvili and took him away. Zuroshvili was asking him reason of his detention but they did not clarify anything. The lawyer was looking for him everywhere all day long but he was nowhere. Meanwhile, they held secret trial without lawyer,” representatives of the Georgian Dream’s Telavi office told ICK. Telavi district court found 29-year-old Domenti Zuroshvili guilty under administrative law and sent him to prison for 60 days.

Shota Khutsishvili – was arrested in Tsnori in Signagi district on September 24. Police blamed him in minor hooliganism. However, Signagi district office of the MIA did not provide ICK with the information what minor hooliganism he had committed. Court sent Khutsishvili to prison for 40 days under administrative law.

Nikoloz Kikilashvili – was arrested in Tsnori on September 24. Representative of the news agency info9.com.ge controlled by UNM Natia Mirianashvili sued him at police. She said Nikoloz Kikilashvili had physically assaulted her during video-coverage and injured her hand. Court found Kikilashvili guilty in minor hooliganism and sent to prison for 40 days.

Nika Gogilashvili – was arrested in Gurjaani district on September 25. “He was going to the Georgian Dream’s assembly in Gurjaani; police stopped and arrested him. During detention he was injured in the shoulder. Police officers initially took him to Gurjaani medical center for treatment and then to police station,” Zura Chikvaidze from the Georgian Dream’s Gurjaani office told ICK. Gurjaani district court found Nika Gogilashvili, 25, guilty under administrative law and sent to prison for 50 days.

Valerian Tamazashvili – was arrested in Kalauri village, Gurjaani district on September 25. “He was arrested in the village, half an hour before the [Georgian Dream’s] assembly,” Zurab Chikvaidze of the Georgian Dream’s Gurjaani office told ICK. Gurjaani district court found Valerian Tamazashvili, 27, guilty under administrative law and sent to prison for 40 days.

Natik Rasulov was arrested in Iormuganlo village, Sagarejo district on September 25. Rasulov is member of the precinct election commission from the Georgian Dream in the village. Police accused him of disobedience. Sagarejo office of the MIA did not clarify what exactly he did. Court found Rasulov guilty under administrative law and sent to prison for 40 days. Police arrested Rasulov in August too; then he served 15 days in prison. Before taking to the detention setting, police officers ruthlessly beat him in Melaani forest.

Zakaria Gagniashvili – was arrested in Tskarostavi in Sagarejo district on September 25. Police accused him of minor hooliganism. “On September 24, Zakaria spent whole day with me in Tbilisi; we were at the assembly in front of the CEC. On September 25, he was arrested at the petrol station at 10:00 am. They blamed him in cursing them on the previous night and I wonder where this incident happened? All TV-Channels have recorded that he was in front of CEC office in Tbilisi together with me,” Tinatin Khidasheli, majoritarian candidate of the Georgian Dream told ICK. Zakaria Gagniashvili will spend 40 days in prison.

Nugzar Kapanadze  – was arrested by Lagodekhi district police officers on September 25. Head of Georgian Dream’s Lagodekhi office Gaga Gambashidze told ICK that law enforcement officers had arrested Nugzar Kapanadze because Apeni village residents met prime-minister Vano Merabishvili with shouting. Kapanadze is coordinator of this zone; next day he was arrested for disobedience,” Gambashidze said. Gurjaani district court imposed 60-day administrative imprisonment on Nugzar Kapanadze. He is serving his term in Kvareli detention setting.

Ilia Suliashvili – was arrested in Chalaubani village on September 26 for pasting Georgian Dream’s posters in the village. Suliashvili told ICK that he was released several minutes after detention. Police first arrested him on July 1 when he participated in the pre-election program “Door to Door.” He was accused of minor hooliganism and court put him in prison for 35 days in July. Ilia Suliashvili had injuries on the body. Giorgi and Lali Pridonashvilis from Chalaubani village had sued him; they are relatives of the former regional governor and currently National Movement’s majoritiarian candidate in Gurjaani Giorgi Gviniashvili. Ilia Suliashvili left prison on August 5. During his imprisonment his father died because of nervous palsy; Ilia Suliashvili was taken to the funeral under handrails for several minutes.

On September 25, Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs spread statement  alleges that none of the aforementioned detentions were politically motivated; they had responded to concrete incidents. “In recent days, regrettably, we have seen an upsurge in cases of violent behavior, most of them involving individuals affiliated with political parties.  Despite a previously calm environment, in the aftermath of the prison abuse scandal, tempers have been high and a pattern of aggressive, threatening, and sometimes violent behavior has emerged. This includes threats against public officials and political party supporters, and in many cases of physical attacks or threats of physical attacks. While most protests and political events remain peaceful, the behavior of some political activists has become very problematic ahead of the election. All law enforcement officials and police officers have been instructed to remain calm and exercise extreme restraint in this period of political activity. In the vast majority of these conflicts, law enforcement bodies have not arrested or detained anyone. However, in incidents where the physical safety of individuals or authorities is threatened, the police have a responsibility to respond to stop the escalation of more serious violence. In these cases were the physical safety of Georgian citizens was threatened, the police were required to respond. Again, police are exercising extreme restraint in situations where the safety of individuals is not threatened,” MIA stated.

I am concerned with recent detentions of activists in Georgia  this statement of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Riccardo Migliori was released by Radio Voice of America on September 26. “With less than one week to the important parliamentary elections in Georgia, I am very concerned with recent reports by media and civil society groups of numerous arrests of activists associated with the opposition,” Migliori said in a written statement and added that he appreciates the importance of these elections, and hopes that calm will prevail for the rest of the campaign period and thereafter. Migliori urged all actors to ensure that this is the case. He said arrests and charges that would take political activists out of play during an election period must be taken seriously.

On September 26, , Chairman of the Inter-Agency Task Force for Free and Fair Elections Commission Giga Bokeria recommended law enforcement bodies to use lighter sanctions. “This is very important for our democracy. Unfortunately, over the last few days there was a disturbing increase in the number of violent incidents and threats of violence. According to our information, around 30 people have been detained administratively. There are others who have been fined. I would like to call on all law enforcement agencies to use, where possible and reasonable, lighter sanctions, including fines,” Bokeria stated and added that this is IATF’s very clear recommendation to all law enforcement agencies.

Physical Asault of Activists

MP physically assaulted supporters of the Georgian Dream –On September 22, MP from the National Movement in Signagi district Nugzar Abulashvili beat supporters of the Georgian Dream Gela and Vakhtang Darchiashvilis in Tsnori of Signagi district. At the moment, Nugzar Abulashvili is head of the election HQ of Levan Bezhashvili, Signagi district majoritarian candidate of the ruling party. As a result of the incident Gela Darchiashvili was injured. He was provided with medical aid at Arkimede medical center in Tsnori. “I was going to the Georgian Dream’s office. Nugzar Abulashvili was standing next to the police office together with several people. He called me to approach him. I asked him what he wanted from me; he asked “didn’t they [governmental institution] transfer you 5 000 lari for the operation? “ I agreed and suddenly he started insulting me. “Why are you wearing Georgian Dream’s t-shirt now?” then he beat me. Initially they beat my brother and dragged him away; then they beat me. Nugar personally beat me. They pushed me down and kicked me claiming they were going to damage my liver which they had cured. Then they saw our boys approaching us, they got into the car and ran away. I did not count, they were five or six,” Gela Darchiashvili told ICK. Head of Arkimede medical center Nukri Karalashvili said Gela Darchiashvili was examined and he has light bruises on several places. He was dismissed from the clinic on the same day. MP Nugzar Abulashvili refused to comment on the incident. Neither Giorgi Botkoveli, Kakheti regional coordinator fo the National Movement commented on the fact. Criminal case was launched on the fact at the Signagi district police. Law enforcement officers have not arrested anybody regarding this incident.

http://www.youtube.com/watchfeature=player_embedded&v=_PtAoHav7sA

Six young people beaten in Gurjaani  On September 23, at night, Georgian Dream’s supporters Dachi Datuashvili, Giorgi Kakhidze, Nika Jokhadze, Vitali Khatiashvili and Giorgi Gergidze were beaten in Gurjaani. “At about 24:00 we were checking election posters of the Georgian Dream’s majoritarian candidates in Kotekhi, a district in Gurjaani. Somebody had torn them down on the previous day. We wanted to replace the damaged posters and to expose those peole who were tearing off the posters. At that moment, white mini-bus with state number DIT-022 and two other cars approached and members fo the National Movement Jemal Sepiashvili, Misho Gviniashvili, Tornike Sibashvili and others [we do not know their names] got out of the cars. They started beating and insulting us which we video-recorded. They were holding baseball bats. So we had to leave the area. We arrived at the Georgian Dream’s office but cars were moving around the office; state number of one of them was BUM 100. People sitting in the cars were insulting us; they damaged two wheals of our car Ford Transit GVG 304; they cut it by knife,” head of youth branch of the Georgian Dream’s Gurjaani office Dachi Datuashvili said. Young members of the Coalition were not injured as a result of the incident.

On September 24, at about 12:00 pm, member of the youth branch of the Georgian Dream’s Gurjaani office Nika Patarkalishvili was assaulted near the resourt Akhtala in Gurjaani. As a result of the incident Nika Patarkalishvili has brain concussion. Ambulance took him to Gujraani medical center and he is still taking medical treatment. Georgian Dream’s majoritarian candidate in Gurjaani Manana Berikashvili said young people, who beat Georgian Dream’s supporters, were either relatives of the governmental officials or they are public servants. “They were Otar Imerlishvili – employee of the Gurjaani district administration and nephew of Davit Abazashvili, head of Gurjaani district office of the Criminal Police; Mishiko Gviniashvili (cousin of Giorgi Gviniashvili, National Movement’s majoritarian candidate in Gurjaani), Jemal Sepiashvili, Temur Butsashvili – specialist of the Youth Affair Service at the district administration and Tornike Sibashvili, nephew of the acting Kakheti regional governor Giorgi Sibashvili and son of Gocha Sibashvili, deputy head of Gurjaani police department,” Manana Berikashvili said. Gurjaani police started investigation of the young people’s physical assault. Investigator questioned Manana Berikashvili and head of Georgian Dream’s Gurjaani office Giga Beradze; they have not questioned victimized young people yet.

http://www.youtube.com/watchfeature=player_embedded&v=tY56QCe5JlU

Attempt to Fail Pre-Election Meetings, Interference

Bidzina Ivanishvili’s meetings in Kakheti – On September 25, leader of the Coalition Georgian Dream Bidzina Ivanishvili met his supporters in Akhmeta, Kvareli and Gurjaani in the frame of his pre-election campaign. National Movement’s activists met him with protest screams in Kvareli and Gurjaani. During his meeting in Kvareli, UNM’s activists were driving about with signals and loud shouting. At the end of meeting, they made so-called “shame corridor” for Bidzina Ivanishvili’s escort at the exit from Kvareli. Attorney of Mtisdziri village terrotirial entity Malkhaz Kalaijishvili was together with the activists of the National Movement.

http://www.youtube.com/watchfeature=player_embedded&v=oGs2bVN2KVU

In Gurjaani, activists of the National Movement, among who there were many teachers, met Bidzina Ivanishvili near Glory Memorial with transparent “Russian(Georgian) Dream” “No to Dreams about Past”, “41st Georgian Shame.” During the meeting, activists of the UNM were standing about 40 meters away from the stage and were shouting: “Betrayor, go,” “Georgia Without Pinguins,” “Misha, Misha”. Son of deputy head of the Gurjaani district police Tornike Sibashvili, son of patrol police officer Davit Purtseladze and employees of the Gurjaani district administration Otar Imerlishvili and Temur Butsashvili were particularly active. They arranged “shame corridor” for Ivanishvili in Gurjaani too. At the end of the meeting, there was some controversy between the activists of the Georgian Dream and National Movement however, after Manana Berikashvili, Georgian Dream’s majoritarian candidate, interfered in the sitation, everything calmed down.

http://www.youtube.com/watchfeature=player_embedded&v=4HIlQ49Vxiw

 On September 26, National Movement’s activists blocked way for Bidzina Ivanishvili’s escort in the entrance to Lagodekhi and started exploding of firewors. They had parked trucks on the bridge not to allow Ivanishvili into Lagodekhi that blocked the Tbilisi-Lagodekhi central motor-way  which links Georgia with Azerbaijan via Lagodekhi. National Movement’s activists were trying to provoke Georgian Dream’s young members by insulting them. There was some incident though it soon finished. Acting MP and UNM’s majoritarian candidate in Lagodekhi Giorgi Gozalishvili and Lagodekhi district governor Dimitry Loladze supervised the rally of the National Movement’s activists. Finally, Bidzina Ivanishvili managed to meet voters in Lagodekhi.  After themeeting, Lagodekhi district governor saw Georgian Dream’s leader of the town by wistling.

http://www.youtube.com/watchfeature=player_embedded&v=r8eRqonGCPc

On September 26, activists of the National Movement threw nails on the road to Dedoplistskaro where Ivanishvili’s escort was about to travel.

On September 26, there was physical controversy between the supporters of Georgian Dream and National Movement in Signagi. Georgian Dream’s leader had scheduled meeting with his supporters in front of the district administration office; however, about 200 activists of the UNM occupied the territory and did not allow Ivanishvili and his supporters to hold assembly. In order to avoid incidents Ivanishvili decided to meet people in the square behind the police office. National Movement’s members now decided to occupy that territory but Coalition’s activists resisted them that turned into physical assault. UNM’s activists beat Georgian Dream’s members with flag-handles. UNM’s supporter Giorgi Pkhovelishvili, 29, was injured. Initially he was takent o Tsnori medical center then paramedics took him to Tbilisi. Director of Tsnori medical center Nukri Karalashvili said the victim had his nose broken. It is noteworthy that MP Nugzar Abulashvili was supervising the UNM’s activists, who is currently head of the National Movement’s election HQ in Signagi. Police officers managed to calm down situation who arrived at the place of incident later though they were very close. UNM’s activists shouted Misha Misha and insulting Georgian Dream’s supporters. Police did not arrest anybody. After the meeting, UNM’s activists threw stones and bottles at Bidzina Ivanishvili’s car. One of them hit the glass, it smashed and he had his hand cut.

http://www.youtube.com/watchfeature=player_embedded&v=XSHZKlInGa0

Activist was fined when placing posters  Georgian Dream’s majoritarian candidate in Telavi Gela Samkharauli said patrol police officers fined their activisit on September 20 when he was pasting election posters. “Patrol police stopped me at 3:00 am because my car-booth was open. I had Gela Samkharauli’s posters in the booth which were were hanging up in the district; simultaneously I was listening to Bera’s song [Bidzina Ivanishvili’s son]. I gave him documents; I was not drunk but he fined me with 100 lari. Having not found any violation, they finally demanded document on gas tank which 99% of Telavi residents do not have; but they had similar instruction. Everybody knows I am Georgian Dream’s member, they recognize my car as well,” Georgian Dream’s member Giga Sozashvili said.

Firing from Job, Oppression

Mother of the TV-9’s journalist fired from job Esma Alaverdashvili, mother of TV-Company TV9’s journalist Thea Alaverdashvili was fired from job. Esma Alaverdashvili was director of Gurjaani Art School. According to official document, reorganization in the Art School was implemented based on the Gurjaani municipal board’s resolution # 57 issued on September 7, 2012. The district municipal board annulled registration of the Art School and subordinated it to the Union of Music Schools. The decree does not indicate why it was necessary to annul its registration. On September 7, Gurjaani municipal board resigned Esma Alaverdashvili from the positive based on the resolution # 59. Acting chairman of the municipal board Aleksandre Sirbilashvili signed the resolutions. From August 17, 2012 chairman of the municipal board Zakaria Iaganashvili has been on holiday and he is head of Giorgi Gviniashvili’s election HQ, UNM’s majoritarian candidate in Gurjaani. Esma Alaverdashvili said she was fired because her daughter Thea Alaverdashvili works for TV9. “Nine people were working in the art school. Alongside being a director, I worked as a teacher too. However, they fired only me as a result of reorganization,” Esma Alaverdashvili told ICK. Her monthly salary was 230 lari at the art school and her labor contract was due to expire at the end of December 2012. It is noteworthy that Esma Alaverdashvili was on holiday since July 25 and on July 29 she was called back and warned about planned reorganization and possible resignation.

Shooting in Dedoplistskaro close to Irakli Garibashvili’s house  On September 16-17 strangers fired from guns four times near Irakli Garibashvili’s house in Dedoplistskaro, who is member of the Georgian Dream. Irakli Garibashvili’s parents gave police officers the state numbers of the cars where strangers opened fire from. However, law enforcement officrs have not arrested anybody yet. “On September 16, at 10:00 pm I heard four gun-shots; I immediately went outside and saw a car which drove towards the town. I saw the young man sitting next to the driver. The car was green with state number LEL 188. We called police, they arrived, searched the territy but could not find bullet cartridges. I made explanation statement; my neighbor Mikheil Bakhutashvili also confirmed that he had already heard gun-shots but had not looked out. Next day, at 4:50 I again heard four gun-shots and went outside immiditely; it was yellow mini-bus with white roof; it was new vehicle and was driving too fast; I could not detect the state number,” Irakli Garibashvili’s mother Marina Koranashvili told ICK. Tariel garibashvili was attorney of Tsiteltskaro village territorial entity in Dedoplistskaro district administration; however he was fired after Bidzina Ivanishvili joined politics. Currently he supports Georgian Dream.

 http://www.youtube.com/watchfeature=player_embedded&v=9cWmyUwCr2Y

Majoritarian candidate threatened village governors– video and audio footage were published on youtube where Luka Kurtanidze, Georgian Dream’s majoritarian candidate in Lagodekhi district was threatening attorneys of Ninigori and Kabali villages territorial entities Tengiz Samkharadze and Jemal Niazov. “I warn you, do you want to continue living here? Do not follow them. Stop agitation. You can write resignation letter and quit job if you want to be respected tomorrow,” Kurtanidze told Samkharadze. Kurtanidze confirmed the fact of his meeting and threatening village attorneys in his interview with ICK.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zuD1C8YqjWU
http://www.youtube.com/my_videos_edit?ns=1&video_id=mGy9D51Tu-A

Abuse of Administrative Resources

40 liters of wine from National Movement –On September 21, wine of state enterprise Gruzgvinprom [wine-producing company] was distributed in Chumlaki village in the families victimized by natural disaster. Attorney of territorial entity Abo Kasrelishvili said the families victimized by natural disaster reiceved wine from the Ministry of Agriculture. Gurjaani based company Gruzvinprom is state enterprise and they have been purchasing plenty of grapes from local peasants for several years already. Village governor’s son and National Movement’s activists were distributing wine in the village. In parallel to it, activists of the ruling party carried out agitation in support of the UNM. Video-recording of this fact irritated specialist of the Chumlaki village territorial entity Ioram Ortoidze. First he hit the camera and then insulted journalists.

http://www.youtube.com/watchfeature=player_embedded&v=KeanL3NRi4g

Public servants at the assembly during working hours – on September 24, at 5:00 pm President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili, prime-minister Vano Merabishvili , chairman of the parliament Davit Bakradze met supporters of the National Movement in Gurjaani. President nominated the majoritarian candidates of the National Movement in Kakheti region to the gathered people, mostly pupils of the local public schools. Attorney of Chalaubani village territorial entity Valeri Barnabishvili, specialist of the Kardenakhi village territorial entity Gogia Teteloshvili, attorney of Velistsikhe village territorial entity Nukri Bakhlishvili, Dedoplistskaro distrct deputy governor Emzar Janashvili attended the assembly. According to official information, which ICK received from district administrations, none of the aforementioned people were on holidays at that moment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gykvmZM7mgY

Response on Violation

Director of Akhmeta district administration’s information center fined with 2 000 lari Akhmeta district court found director of the Akhmeta district administration’s information center Omar Marukashvili guulty under administrative law. Judge fined him with 2 000 lari for the misuse of administrative resources before the elections. On September 6, Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association blamed Akhmeta district governor Koba Maisuradze and Omar Marukashvili in the violation of the Election Code. GYLA requested to fine Marukashvili with 2 000 lari and disciplinary responsibility on Akhmeta district governor. According to GYLA’s assessment, reporting about activities of the United National Movement on the websites of local self-governments, which has recently become an alarming trend. Since this report, website myakhmeta.ge has been switched off. It was founded in August of 2009 based on the resolution of Akhmeta municipal board. Its legal form is non-profit non-comercial legal entity. Akhmeta Infomration Center is funded with 30 000 lari from the district budget.   

Information Center of Kakheti will publish pre-election digest every Saturday before October 1, 2012
Responsible person for the content of the digest Gela Mtivlishvili Mtivlishvili@gmail.com
Cell phone:  599 34 34 77

See previous digests:

Kakheti – Pre-election Digest # 2 (August 11-18)