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Detained Election Commission Members May Apply to Strasbourg

May 16, 2008

Gela Mtivlishvili, Kakheti

Today Zaza Khatiashvili, single mandate candidate from Republic Party in Sighnaghi District and lawyer Tengiz Bezhashvili held a press-conference at the Human Rights Center’s Kakheti Office. Khatiashvili stated that he intends to appeal to the Human Rights European Court in Strasbourg against the detention of Besik Khatiashvili, member of the Bodbiskhevi District Election Commission and member of the Republician Party.

Reportedly, Sighnaghi police arrested Khatiashvili based on request of Tamila Dzmanashvili, the head of District Sport Department for yet a second time.

Dzmanashvili blamed him for verbally insulting her and as she wrote in her statement to police that Besik Khatiashvili demanded document on his dismissal and he had insulted her.

Based on official data, Khataishvili was running the boxing division in Sport’s Department. He was discharged from this position on April 5, 2008. Khataishvili stated that the reason for his dismissal was his membership in Republic Party. However, based on the Georgia Labor Law, Khatiashvil had right to appeal to the court with the demand to be restored to his former position until May 7. “Consequently, I visited Tamila Dzmanashvili at the office on May 5 and asked her to provide document on my dismissal. However, she refused. Then I categorically demanded for her to provide the requested document but she then refused for a second time. I explained to Dzmanashvili that she was breaking the law then I departed the office. Soon the police were involved. Dzmanashvili stated to the police officers that I had insulted her, cursed or said something like that was not to her liking. Other employees also confirmed her testimony. Law enforcers arrested me on the same day and then proceeded to interrogate me and even accused me of having committed a crime,” said Besik Khatiashvili.

Tengiz Bezhashvili, the attorney, stated that Dzmanashvili’s husband was interrogated at the trial as a witness who works as a driver at the Sighnaghi District Sport Department.

Zaza Khatiashvili stated that the judge passed illegal order and they will appeal to the European Court against to obtain a judgment.

Zaza Khatiashvili also mentioned that he is not allowed into the public schools to meet teachers during his pre-election campaign because it was order of the ruling party.

Tengiz Bezhashvili pointed out that detainee is placed in the pre-trial detention isolator and he wants to meet his client though he is not allowed. “Based on groundless testimonies of four policemen I was arrested short time ago and I was fined with 100 GEL. As far as I know they intend to do the same now and I avoid entering the police station,” said the attorney.

The attorney added that local authority and National Movement terrorize supporters of the republic party. “Bodbiskhevi Election District is one of the complicated districts in Sighnaghi Election Precinct. They could not do anything about Besik Khatiashvili, they could not even get a bribe from him, and they tried to punish him using such a method,” said Bezhashvili.

According to the Sighnaghi District Organization of the Republic Party, during the Presidential Elections on January 5 2008 Mikheil Saakashvili gained more votes at Bodbiskhevi Election District than were the actual number of voters who cast their ballots.
 

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