Assassination Threat to Singer’s Family in Gori

Assassination Threat to Singer’s Family in Gori

In Gori a number of songs and poems are being "dedicated' to the Governor of Shida Kartli, Mikheil Kareli. The author of a pro-Kareli poem, the head of one of the kindergartens in Gori, has faced opposition from parents of the children under her tuition. Mishiko Koshkadze, another author of a song “created in honor of the governor”, has also experienced pressure – although this time in the form of a threat that he will be ‘liquidated’.

In February, Mishiko Koshkadze was nominated the ‘Face of Gori’, according to a survey conducted by the Youth Organization ‘Akhali Taoba’ (New Generation). Together with Mishiko Koshkadze, the organization also named the best inhabitant of Gori, as well as the best doctor, businessman, etc. It was noted that Governor Mikhail Kareli did not come to the ceremony to meet the best inhabitants of Gori, such as Geno Petriashvili, who had been kidnapped and held in Ossetia for 3 months. The best businessman, Givi Jamelashvili, declared that he suffers under constant pressure from Governor Mikheil Kareli. This exemplifies the general attitude of the Governor towards the famous people of Gori and this most recent incident has further raised concern among the inhabitants of Gori regarding their Governor.

Mishiko Koshkadze was born and raised in Gori. He left Georgia for Russia for a while before coming back to his hometown several years ago. He granted the population the gift of his songs and among these, the one dedicated to the Governor.

Since he wrote the song about the Governor, there have been constant phone calls threatening to murder him. Koshkadze’s friends have also experienced intimidation. Several days ago one of Koshkadze’s friends was forced into a car, taken to a graveyard, where his kidnappers tried to extort information about Koshkadze’s location. 

Mishiko Koshkadze sates that the military police, headed by Rezo Kldiashvili (the former head of the criminal police) even threatened to plant drugs on him.

Sozar Subar, the Ombudsman of Georgia, thinks that if Governor Mikheil Kareli considers the song to be humiliating, he can apply the courts. “An official who has no ability to endure should resign”, said the Ombudsman.     

The citizens of Gori intend to protest if there is not an immediate stop to the intimidation and threatening phone calls against Koshkadze’s family.

Kote Gudadze, the head of the Social Hall in Gori, admits that the song is embarrassing, however an official must be tolerant of such things. Kote Gudadze took his own child away from the kindergarten ruled by Lali Baiadze, who taught the children a poem glorifying Governor Mikheil Kareli.

Shalva Tlashadze, who is a head of the youth department within the republican party, states that Governor Mikheil Kareli should take into account public opinion and resign; forever giving up threatening journalists, singers, artists and businessmen. At the same time, he should also study how to be tolerant of different opinions and ideas in general.

Saba Tsitsikashvili from Gori