Member of National Movement Seeks Closure of Newspaper

Gela Mtivlishvili, Kakheti

Marina Utiashvili, member of the United National Movement, initiated to close down Kakheti based regional newspaper “Imedi”. The representative of the leading party officially stated that the newspaper is one that is always looking for violations and it should not exist.

Utiashvili became irritated by an article that was published the newspaper “Imedi” a short time ago, which  revealed facts associated with the firing of teachers from local public schools. The local office of the leading party had an active part to play in the so-called reduction process.

Tamar Koroghlishvili, the teacher of the Gurjaani Public School, was fired from her job because of political grounds and the journalist discussed the issue in the now infamous article. ”I was fired from school because brother of my husband worked in the regional election HQ of the late presidential candidate Badri Patarkatsishvili. According to my information, the head of the regional organization of the United National Movement demanded the director to fire me.”

After the former teacher made similar statement to the newspaper, Marina Utiashvili, who is also director of the Gurjaani Public School, Tamar Koroghlishvili was not allowed back into the school. “After they fired me from the position of School administrator, I had few hours of art lessons to work there but now they do not allow me to conduct lessons based upon the director’s direction. Utiashvili has warned the watchmen of the school and they do not even allow me to enter,” said Tamar Koroghlishvili.

Marina Utiashvili has not commented on violations of her teacher’s rights. We were able to obtain a copy of her petition to the board of the National Movement where she requests that the media be censured. “I serve my country, my president in bringing up future generations of my county. I would like to suggest censure in order to prevent the oppositionists to give interviews to the newspaper “Imedi”. Generally, the newspaper, which is looking for violations, must be closed. I think it must not be a problem,” wrote Utiashvili in her petition.

Officials from the Kakheti regional organization of the United National Movement have n not commented on Utiashvili’s petition.

The newspaper “Imedi” is an independent regional edition in Kakheti region since 2003.