Sukhitashvili’s Relatives Argue about Plots of Land

The Shatberashvilis from the village of Sveneti in the Gori District complain about plots of land. Aleko Sukhitashvili’s name has been mentioned in relation to the case. Sveneti is the Deputy Defense Minister, Aleko Sukhitashvili’s native village.

The Shatberashvilis have been demanding plots of land in the village of Sveneti for years. Jemal Shatberashvili died some time ago and now his sons are trying to protect their rights. The oldest member of the family Mediko Shatbershvili says that her family has remained without land because of former village councilor Dato Bezhanishvili. Dato Bezhanishvili is Sukhitashvili’s close relative - they are cousins.

Mediko Shatberashvili says: “My husband Jemal Shatberashvili was fighting for the land for years. The man got ill and died in this struggle. We are quite a large family. My four children were given neither plots nor anything else. The plots that were due to be ours now belong to others. They do not let us work on our land. I cannot say whether Aleko Sukhitashvili has any dealings in it, but those who are violating our rights are his relatives. We have sued in several instances, applied to many people but because of Alika (meaning Sukhitashvili) we could not win anywhere.”

As it later became clear, Aleko Sukhitashvili’s relatives chose the land where through which the oil-pipe runs. Thus they earned quite a large amount of money. The land owed to the Shatberashvili’s was in this ‘prestigious’ spot, however this plot was taken by others.

The Shatberashvilis recall that at the launch of the land privatization campaign, the distribution commission measured the land, numbered it and gave to the villagers. 0.3 hectares of land marked for their family was located along the route of the pipe-line. Although they were given the number of the plot at the village board, they could not find it when arrived at the site. The land apportioned for them by the board is located one kilometer away from the village, a place known as ‘Ukvedura’.

Before 2000, the late Jemala Shatberashvili had applied first to Regional Administrative Board and then to the Chief of the Agricultural Department to help him to secure the plot. At that time, the Gori Prosecutor was Aleko Sukhitashvili and they supposed that it was for this reason the Shatberashvilis were not paid any attention.

Besides this, Jemal Shatberashvili’s family rented some land together with neighbors in 2001. However he was not let onto his rented land that year either. As family members say, Aleko Sukhitashvili’s relatives demanded 0.2 hectares of his land. As their demanded went unheeded, Sukhitashvili’s relatives refused to allow the renters onto their land of 0.6 hectares. Moreover, they drove a tractor over a cultivated plot and spoiled the crops. It was the last straw for Jemal Shatberashvilii and shortly after this he died.

Mediko Shatberashvili, (Jemal Shatberashvili’s wife) says: “I have no quarrel with the Bezhanishvilis at all. I simply demand my land back. In 2003 our plot was photographed from an airplane exactly in the place where our code showed it should be. Besides that we have also received the document affirming our ownership of it. However we cannot obtain justice.”

We got in touch with the Deputy Defense Minister, Aleko Sukhitashvili.

Aleko Sukhitashvili states: “I know neither the Shatberashvilis nor Dato Bezhanishvili. The later is neither my relative nor cousin.”

Though Sukhitashvili categorically denies any relationship with the Shatberashvilis or Bezhanishvilis, they are close neighbors to him in the village of Sveneti. Moreover Aleko Sukhitashvili’s house is located between the houses of the Shatberashvilis and the Bezhanishvilis. Other of the neighbors says that the parties grew up together, since their childhood.

The former governor of Sveneti, Dato Bezhanishvili and his people deny the accusations. According to them there is no argument between with their next-door neighbors. Dato Bezhanishvili’s relatives say that Aleko Sukhitashvili is the Shatberashvilis’ relative rather than theirs. Recently Aleko Sukhitashvili bought a plot from the Shatberashvilis and built a house on it.

The current village governor, Ketevan Markozashvili, often declares at Gori District Administrative Board meetings that the photos taken by plane are fraudulent and cause serious disagreements between families. She thinks the data in the new land ownership certificates is fraudulent. The Shatberashvilis have such a certificate and the councilor casts suspicion over its authenticity.

Ketevan Markozashvili, the present village governor and the Deputy Defense Minister are also cousins.

Saba Tsitsikashvili, Gori