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Two Members of Poti City Council Left National Movement’s Fraction

November 1, 2012

Chairman of the Commission for Financial-Revision Issues at Poti City Council Aleksandre Topuria and member of the City Council Enver Sichinava quitted fraction National Movement; however they did not leave the city council. Their application was satisfied at the council session on October 30.

Enver Sichinava left National Movement on September 21, several days after scandalous videos from prison were aired; he said he would apply to the chairman of the city council with the request to quit the council in near future; however, as we learned today, he had not appealed to the chairman with that request.

Enver Sichinava has been member of Poti City Council’s majority since 2010. He said his decision was motivated by horrifying video-footage of prisoners’ torture. Before elections he left National Movement’s election HQ whilst UNM’s majoritarian candidate in Poti Sarishvili was his friend. Sichinava said he would no longer participate in the election process in favor of the ruling party.

Three years ago, Enver Sichinava was a successful businessman in Poti. According to our information, his business collapsed under oppression of the former government. He was fined with several millions of lari that badly impacted his business.

As for Topuria, he had filed application on leaving the fraction long ago but his petition was satisfied just now.

Aleksandre Topuria was member of the previous convocation city council too and was uts deputy chairman. In 2006-2007 he was chairman of the Commission for Financial-Revision Issues; in 2005-2006 he was assistant to Poti Mayor.

Council member and chairwoman of the Commission for Social Issues Darejan Tskhvitaria protested their decision to quit the fraction. She said if Aleksandre Topuria did not want to be fraction member, should quit the city council too because he was elected as a UNM member. Otherwise, he should stand besides the National Movement.

“Why should he receive the salary and other privileges granted by the party? I am sure if the UNM had won the elections, they would not have decided to quit the council,” Tskhvitaria said.

Aleksandre Topuria did not attend the session. Enver Sichinava said he had left only the fraction and will still represent the interests of Nabadi district residents at the city council.

Inga Gvasalia, Poti

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