Kutaisi City Mayor Fired a Public Official Because of Her Party Membership

Shorena Kakabadze, Kutaisi

Head of department for children’ rights and juvenile issues at the Kutaisi local government was fired for the fifth time already. Maguli Giorgadze appeals to the Kutaisi Prosecutor’s Office against the City Hall.

The reason for the controversy is her party membership as Maguli Giorgadze claims. Several days ago she stated she is going to take part in the elections of the local self-government as a candidate but not as a member of the National Movement, the ruling party.

“I think I have right to have my own position and can speak about it openly. Person cannot be fired because of it. But in this country everybody must be member of the National Party and serve only this government. I serve children and work for their welfare; it is most important for me. Our department has proved it by its activities and not only by speech like others do it in our country,” said former head of the department for children’s rights and juvenile issues.

Maguli Giorgadze has petitioned to the Human Rights Parliamentary Committee. In her letter to the chairman of the committee Gia Arsenishvili she spoke about the oppression on her by the mayor and administration of the city hall in general. In reply to her appeal, Gia Arsenishvili sent letter to Kutaisi City Hall and Municipality Board to study the case more carefully and make more reasonable decision.

Despite Arsenishvili’s letter, Maguli Giorgadze could not keep his position. “Kutaisi Municipality Board did not satisfy my administrative appeal on reappointing me on the same position. Apparently, this problem cannot be resolved at the level of local government and other institutions should involve it. It is not problem for me; I will do my best to prove my truth.”

Several months ago, the building of the department for children’s rights and juvenile issues in Queen Tamar Street in the center of the city was burnt in a very obscure situation. Archive was also destroyed which contained many famous and resonant cases. Soon after the accident, people doubted the fire was connected with the activities of the department; however, everybody avoided speaking about it.

Maguli Giorgadze is not going to surrender. It must be noted, that she had tense relationship with other mayors too and previous mayors also fired her several times; however each time she managed to reoccupy the position.

Mayor Nugzar Shamugia said he is not going to start argument with the former head of the department for children’s rights and juvenile issues.