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Prosecutors are Regional Governors in Police State

May 1, 2008

Shorena Kakabadze, Kutaisi

Imereti region has new governor. Davit Tkeshelashvili, the State Minister for Regional Management, who is now introduced as Western Georgia’s Prosecutor and new Regional Governor. The predictions of Kutaisi residents have become true, especially with the de-facto situation that was legally registered by the central government.

“There is nothing unexpected what has transpired, as we now live in a police state.  Our government has proved it once again. It was not at all surprising when Mikheil Chogovadze, the former Prosecutor, was appointed to the position of Regional Governor. He implemented the functions of the governor while he occupied previous position at the same time. Mr. Prosecutor supervised the fund for the rehabilitation of historical part of Kutaisi. Neither Kutaisi Mayor nor the chairperson of the municipality board had any supervision authority. Such a situation does not occur in normal states. There is separation and prosecutor should not in the position to make any deals with the construction activities being conducted in the city,” said Vladimer Nakashidze, the chairperson of the Republic Party’s Kutaisi Office.

Many other people also speak about the “deeds” of Mikheil Chogovadze. Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili loudly stated at the presentation of the Kutaisi Reconstruction Plan that the central budget had apportioned 30 million GEL for that very purpose. Reportedly Chogovadze was put in charge of running the fund.

Western Georgia’s Prosecutor started his activities beyond the responsibilities of the prosecutor’s office in recent months. Mikheil Chogovadze always avoided questions when it came to the topic. Local government only states that “He is a talented person and a respectable resident of Kutaisi. Thus, he has right to involve similar activities and to promote himself.”

New Regional Governor has already tried to promote himself for several times. When a briefing was held in front of the house of Gia Zviadadze, an alleged criminal authority, he, alongside Vano Merabishvili, the Minister of Internal Affairs stated loudly that the house of the criminal should become state property and that the Kutaisi Police Station would be stationed in this location. However, the house still remains empty. Reportedly, the criminal called Chogovadze and after a phone-conversation, the police dropped his prosecution. But it is important that the show succeeded-people saw on TV just how faithful their regional prosecutor continues to be to the government, and just how he loves our country without criminals.

“Is not he the man who was “grabbing” a property from Bondo Shalikiani? I remember his face from TV programs. He claimed to have arrested Shalikiani unless he gave up his property. They are seizing everything from us, and now if the people like Chogovadze come into power we will face worse problems,” explain residents of Kutaisi.

Evidently, people remembered Mikheil Chogovadze from that famous dialogue. The over-phone conversation was published by Valeri Gelbakhiani (supporter of the late businessman and presidential candidate Badri Patarkatsishvili and former MP; currently he is wanted by Georgian law enforcers). On the audio recording Prosecutor Chogovadze was informing Bondo Shalikiani, Majoritarian MP of the Tkibuli District, that a criminal case was launched against him and it could have been dropped if he assigned his property to the state for free.

Shalikiani did not give up the space he owned in the historical part of Kutaisi; though local government made all effort to misappropriate it. However, Chogovadze proved that he was faithful to the government and a real patriot to the end.

“I feel I am imposed with great responsibility by taking this position. I will try to realize the hopes of the government as indicated by them appointing me to such a position,” said Chogovadze when he was introduced as the new regional governor. Evidently, he will have to prove his devotion to the country (particularly to the leading party) during the up-coming parliamentary elections.

“Prosecutor’s Office and the entire law enforcement body have been actively involved in the election campaign. Now Chogovadze will start his “machine” in support of the leading party. It is particularly necessary for Kutaisi and Imereti Region because here serious election battle is supposed to start. Thus, it was perfect decision from the central government to assign this mandate to Chogovadze,” said residents of Kutaisi.

Locals, however, cannot hide their discontent because law enforcers have great power in the country and Vano Merabishvili, Minister of Internal Affairs, is considered to be the backbone of Georgia and its political system.

 

 


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