“We hardly survived!... Now We Expect Attacks from Tbilisi and not from Russia” say residents of Akhalgori District

Mari Otarashvili

“After the release of imitated Russian attack near Akhmaj released by Imedi TV on March 13, Georgian policemen and soldiers were ready for attack on Georgian check-points. They were waiting Russian side to open fire from their posts after “simulated reportage”. The Humanrights.ge was informed about it from Akhalgori district.

Akhalgor district de-facto administration evaluated the so-called Chronicle of Future released by Imedi TV as provocative and shameful. Deputy Head of Akhalgori district de-facto administration Aleksandre Baratashvili stated in his interview with the Humanrights.ge that information spread by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia as if Russians were ready to fight after the reportage of Imedi TV is false. According to him, Russians laughed on the reportage of Imedi TV.

“On March 13 at about 8:00 pm, Georgian checkpoint was ready for fight. Besides that, they were armed and after 8:00 pm they did not allow passengers to cross the checkpoint towards Akhalgori district. Even people registered in Akhalgori were not allowed to enter; as for strangers, they have not been allowed in for a long time already. It is obvious that Georgian side was trying to make Russians angry and make them open fire. Military situation announced on Georgian checkpoints proves it. Reportage was obvious provocation but Russians were not provoked. A Russian soldier could open fire. Everybody realizes what could have happened because of this one shot. Imagine we hardly survived. Saakashvili should be responsible for all this. When his spokesperson Manana Manjgaladze rushed to Imedi TV astonished, it was also simulation; more precisely it was the end of the performance. Does not Georgian authority have other high-ranking officials besides Gigi Ugulava to apologize? Probably others were laughing. Saakashvili is responsible for everything, for the trauma of entire Georgian population caused by this reportage,” said resident of Akhalgori district who wanted to stay anonymous.

Residents of Akhalgori district say that provocation for Russian military forces was planned at the beginning of this month. Residents of Ksani Valley explain restrictions on travelling rules through Georgian check-points since March 1st by this fact. According to them, since March 1 representatives of Georgian security services interrogate each passenger at the check-points and make notes in their notebook. However, Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia denies this.
 
In Akhalgori district, where Russian armed forces are deployed, the telecast of the Imedi-TV panicked and shocked the population. Akhalgori district residents express their discontent not only towards the owners of the TV-Company Imedi but towards the experts who were invited to the studio.

“Reports of the Imedi-TV from Akhalgori and Gali districts about distribution of Russian passports or dispersal of locals by Russian soldiers are all false. In addition to that, they made yesterday’s telecast for what people almost died in Akhalgori. Is not Saakashvili ashamed? Apart it we are already living in tense situation and what is he doing? If they want to make the film in advance, why did not they make the film about perfect future?!” asked a woman from Akhalgori district and added, “Shame on those experts who made comments about the film in the studio. Some of them were joking or laughing with each other. People were shocked. We are living in such a tense situation and they are doing similar things. Are those journalists clever enough?! They want to say they are impartial journalists?! Shame on them!!! Instead calming down the people and supporting us in better life, the government creates dangerous situation for us. Yesterday, head of police station Valeri Pukhaev was walking in the town and calming people down. Russians were also telling people: do not be afraid, it was provocation and they aim to really encourage us to open fire from here… we are very afraid. We are now expecting attack from Tbilisi and not from Russia.”
 
Two days ago it was reported that large unit of Georgian soldiers was moving near the village of Mejvriskhevi close to the administrative border with South Ossetia.

 “The unit arrived there from Gori. EU observers, as usually, acted as coverage. Georgia is getting ready for new provocation,” said Kokoity’s representative in post-conflict regulations Boris Chochiev. He added that the government of Georgia started new provocation at night of March 13 by opening fire from the village of Nikozi which was followed by the performance on Imedi-TV.

“Georgia is preparing for something and knowing that Russia will again defend its citizens, the performance was a well-planned attempt to justify its possible activities,” said Chochiev.

Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia categorically denied the information. Head of analytic department of Merabishvili’s ministry Shota Utiashvili said that “there were no movements of Georgian armed units close to the administrative boarder and situation is calm in the area.”

Utiashvili said that Russian army is in military readiness and not Georgian army. However, Akhalgori district de-facto administration also denied the fact.

Aleksandre Baratashvili: “It is false. Russians are not going to do anything. They are calm. They are just standing and laughing at everything. They are even surprised: what does your Saakashvili in fact want? There is no tension from Russian soldiers- just the opposite, they are calm; however, people are panicked and scared about the “masterpiece” of TV-Imedi. The Government of Georgia shall not be so unserious. Russians laughed at the telecast of Imedi and at Saakashvili’s government. The intention of Imedi-TV and the government of Georgia with this telecast was ridiculous. I cannot even find words to evaluate their behaviour.”

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Defence of Georgia Salome Makharadze did not even consider it was necessary to comment on the information spread by Chochiev about deployment of Georgian military unit close to the de-facto borders with South Ossetia