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Protest rallies continue in Kakheti

September 15, 2015
 
Lela Khechoshvili, Kakheti

Demonstrators blocked Tbilisi-Bakurtsikhe-Telavi central motorway in Gurjaani. Patrol police was mobilized on the place. The farmers request to increase prices on grape. They also request meeting with the Minister of Agriculture Otar Danelia and former prime minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. 

First the demonstration started near the Gurjaani district administration. Kakheti regional governor Irakli Shiolashvili met protesters. He said the prices on the grape are regulated by market and not by the state.

As the regional governor said the demonstration was organized by the members of the United National Movement. The farmers state no political party manipulates with them and they will not be provoked by anyone.

When Gurjaani district single mandate candidate from the UNM Giorgi Gviniashvili joined the demonstration together with his party-members, the regional governor left the demonstration in protest. Soon, he wished to meet about 15 protesters in the hall of the district administration. The governor said he wished meeting with farmers in a close format and make final comment after the meeting. The farmers and regional governor requested the journalists to leave the hall. The meeting finished soon but as farmers said they could not reach agreement about the price.

Governor Irakli Shiolashvili told humanrights.ge that he will go to Tbilisi and inform the central authority about the issues he discussed with farmers.

“The governor came here together with his allies and soon left. He met only ten farmers and tried to convince them,” MP Giorgi Gviniashvili said.

The farmers said unless their requests are satisfied, they will throw one bucket of grape in front of Bidzina Ivanishvili’s house. 

There was controversy between police officers and protesters. When unblocking the street, the police arrested several persons.

The movement alongside the Telavi-Tbilisi motorway was restored but protesters stayed in the area for a while to plan larger demonstration.

Later the demonstrators moved to the building of Gurjaani district court where they were waiting for the release of the arrested farmers. One of the detainees was charged for the physical assault of the MP Gviniashvili. 

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